The Harderian Gland Revealed: Regeneration and Recovery of Chemosensory Function

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The Harderian Gland Revealed Regeneration and
Recovery of Chemosensory Function

• Andy Fraser
• Dr. Robert Mason Chris Friesen
• Department of Zoology
• Oregon State University
• Corvallis, OR

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• Salamanders, for example, are able to regenerate
  limbs, tail, eyes, jaws, and heart.
• We are largely unable to regenerate crucial
  organs and tissues.
• Cures for debilitating diseases and injuries.
• We know surprisingly little about how
  regeneration works.
• It is crucial that we study new vertebrate models.

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Mating ( 4 weeks)
Summer feeding (3 months)
Winter Dormancy ( 8 months)
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Chemoreception

• Detection of chemical cues
• Olfaction
• Volatile
• Vomerolfaction
• Nonvolatile
• Harderian Gland (HG)
• Solubizing agents
• Binding proteins

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• Hypothesis
• The Harderian gland in the red sided garter snake
  is able to regenerate and regain its function
  over time.

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LD
PO
IO
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Experimental Design
x
Y
Unilateral HDX
N28
x
Y
Bilateral HDX
N28
x
Y
Sham
N28
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Experimental Design
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Behavior Trials Y-Maze

• Used to observe deficits in trailing behavior
  caused by removal of HG.
• In this case we know that garter snakes will
  trail worms.
• Used coin flip to randomize which arm got trail.

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N7
N7
N7
N7
N7
N7
N7
N7
N7
N7
N7
N5
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Interpretation of Results

• Two Hypotheses
• 1. The HG regenerated more quickly than expected
• 2. The IO portion of the HG hypertrophied or is
  sufficient.

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Acknowledgments

• Dr. Robert Mason
• Chris Friesen and Rocky Parker
• Dr. Kevin Ahern
• Howard Hughes Medical Institute