Chemical blockade of olfactory perception by N-methylformimino-methylester in albino mice. II. Light microscopical investigations

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Abstract
Evidence is given that N-methyl-formimino-methylester (MFM), a highly volatile substance, causes olfactory receptor cell degeneration in mice. The time course of this degeneration and morphological changes in the compartment of receptor cell progenitor cells are described. Due to the morphological appearance of the progenitor cells and their dynamic transformation after exposure to MFM, two different types of progenitor cells can be distinguished: (a) light-staining globose basal or blastema cells, which are thought to be real progenitor cells and to remain in the mitotic cycle for generating new sensory cells; and (b) dark-staining basal cells with condensed chromatin, which are quiescent. The results agree with electrophysiological data indicating temporary inhibition of olfactory perception after MFM.