The Potential Oscillations Observed in the Olfactory Epithelium, Nerve and Bulb of the Toad and Frog

Abstract

In a few number of research works on the olfactory nervous system, regular potential oscillations have nearly always been found in the olfactory epithelium, nerve and bulb. ADRIAN (1941, 1950, 1954) observed potential oscillations in the olfactory bulb and the JACOBSEN organ of mammals. Similar potential oscillation was observed in the olfactory epithelium of the rabbit (ADRIAN, 1955). OTTOSON (1956) observed regular rhythmic waves often appearing superimposed on the slow potential in the olfactory epithelium of the frog. It has been supposed that these oscillations originates in the same mechanism. Potential oscillations appear remarkably in the olfactory epithelium, nerve and bulb of the toad. It was found that the oscillations in the epithelium are different in many points from those in the nerve and bulb. The present experiments were carried out to clarify the different mechanisms of these potential oscillations. They are compared with the oscillation found by the above workers. A preliminary report was published elsewhere (TAKAGI & SHIBUYA, 1960, d). © 1960, PHYSIOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF JAPAN. All rights reserved.