Name: Video: Performing Buried Food Test to Assess the Effects of Inhaled Pollutants on Olfactory Function in Mice
Uploaded: 2024-09-13T13:40:00
Description: 252 Views. Performing Buried Food Test to Assess the Effects of Inhaled Pollutants on Olfactory Function in Mice

performing buried food test to assess the effects of inhaled pollutants on olfactory function in mice

Assessing Olfactory Impairment in Mice Due to Inhaled Environmental Pollutants

Olfactory impairment has emerged as a noteworthy public health concern and is independently associated with an increased risk of neurodegenerative diseases. This condition can adversely affect overall well-being, contribute to the development of depressive symptoms, and result in a diminished quality of life. Its impact is prominently observed in the altered perception of food, hindrance in social communication, and heightened negative feelings1. Various factors, including sinonasal disease, upper respiratory tract infection, and traumatic brain injury, have been considered contributors to olfactory impairment in humans2. Notably, inhalable environmental pollutants such as PM2.5, estimated to range from 2% to 16%, enter the body through inspired air, traverse the nasal cavity, and reach specific olfaction-dedicated regions where they are deposited3,4,5,6,7. Recent findings indicate that inhalable environmental pollutants, including PM2.5 and ammonia, can indeed harm olfactory sensory neurons8,9,10. However, further validation is required to ascertain whether such damage directly leads to olfactory dysfunction. Hence, a meticulous evaluation of the effects of inhalable environmental pollutants on olfactory function is of particular importance.
Currently, numerous research laboratories employ mice as an alternative vertebrate model for behavioral experiments aimed at comprehending changes in olfactory function11,12,13,14. Mice were chosen as the preferred model system for investigating vertebrate chemical communication, and it exhibits a remarkable olfactory sensitivity crucial for foraging and social communication15. Furthermore, the continually evolving array of tools for observing and influencing mouse behavior has rendered this species exceptionally appealing for research on olfactory function16.
In this study, we employed the buried food test and the social odor discrimination experiment to assess olfactory impairment in a mouse model exposed to inhalable environmental pollutants. To enhance the precision of evaluation, we opted for the most representative method for assessing olfactory function. We systematically refined this method to ensure simplicity and clarity, allowing us to gauge the extent of olfactory dysfunction induced by inhalable environmental pollutants effectively.

Author Spotlight: Assessing the Olfactory Effects of Airborne Pollutants &#8212; Buried Food and Social Odor Tests

Studying the Effects of Inhaled Environmental Pollutants on Olfactory Function in Mice

Performing Buried Food Test to Assess the Effects of Inhaled Pollutants on Olfactory Function in Mice

performing-buried-food-test-to-assess-effects-inhaled-pollutants-on

Research

JoVE Journal

Environment

252 Views. Performing Buried Food Test to Assess the Effects of Inhaled Pollutants on Olfactory Function in Mice

Video: Performing Buried Food Test to Assess the Effects of Inhaled Pollutants on Olfactory Function in Mice

Olfactory impairment is a significant public health problem and independently predicts the risk of neurodegenerative diseases. Inhaled environmental pollutants exposure may impair olfaction; thereby, there is an urgent need for methods to evaluate the effects of inhaled environmental pollutants exposure on olfaction. Mice are ideal models for olfactory experiments because of their highly developed olfactory system and behavioral characteristics. To assess the effects of inhaled environmental pollutants exposure on olfactory function in mice, a detailed buried food test and social odor discrimination experiment is provided, including the experiment preparation, the selection and construction of experimental facilities, the testing process, and indexes of time. Meanwhile, timekeeping equipment, operational details, and the experimental environment are discussed to ensure the success of the assay. Zinc sulfate is used as the treatment to demonstrate the feasibility of the experimental approach. The protocol provides a simple and clear operational process for assessing the effects of inhaled environmental pollutants on olfactory function in mice.

This paper provides a detailed description of the buried food test and social odor discrimination experiment to assess the effects of inhaled environmental pollutants exposure on olfactory function in mice.

Olfactory impairment is a significant public health problem and independently predicts the risk of neurodegenerative diseases. Inhaled environmental ...