Nasal and frontal sinus mucosa of the adult dog contain numerous olfactory sensory neurons and ensheathing glia

Olfactory glial cells have been the focus of much recent research interest because of their possible future use as cellular transplants in repair of spinal cord injury. Although olfactory glial cells can be collected from the olfactory bulb for in vitro culture, alternative sites would be preferable for safer surgical access. This study was designed to investigate the distribution of olfactory sensory neurons and olfactory glial cells within the canine peripheral olfactory system. Using immunohistochemistry and electron microscopy on perfused tissue we demonstrate that olfactory sensory neurons are found in both the caudal nasal and the frontal sinus epithelia. Olfactory ensheathing glia were found in the mucosa at both these sites implying that surgical access for harvesting cells for transplantation would be straightforward.