Scholarlink

Background <p>The African pygmy hedgehog (<i>Atelerix albiventris</i>) is a terrestrial mammal with well-developed olfactory, visual, and auditory senses. This study presents the first detailed histomorphological and histomorphometric description of the cerebellum and olfactory bulb of the African pygmy hedgehog.</p> Results <p>Six adult hedgehogs (three males and three females) were examined using standard histological techniques, histomorphometric analysis was performed on representative sections using Fiji/ImageJ software. The cerebellum displayed the classical trilaminar cortical organisation comprising molecular, Purkinje cell, and granular layers overlying a fibrous white matter core. The molecular layer was the thickest cerebellar cortical layer (139.44 ± 5.84&#xa0;μm), followed by the granular layer (115.67 ± 14.75&#xa0;μm), while the Purkinje cell layer was the thinnest (23.84 ± 5.30&#xa0;μm). Distinct cerebellar glomeruli were observed within the granular layer as pale eosinophilic regions interspersed among densely packed granule cells. The olfactory bulb consisted of seven layers: the olfactory nerve layer, glomerular layer, external plexiform layer, mitral cell layer, internal plexiform layer, granule cell layer, and subventricular zone. Histomorphometric analysis revealed that the granule cell layer was the thickest olfactory bulb layer (248.30 ± 16.37&#xa0;μm), whereas the mitral cell layer (17.74 ± 4.75&#xa0;μm) and internal plexiform layer (15.74 ± 3.28&#xa0;μm) were comparatively thin. Mitral, tufted, periglomerular, and granule cells were readily identifiable, reflecting the hedgehog’s reliance on olfaction for behaviours such as foraging and predator avoidance.</p> Conclusions <p>The cerebellum and olfactory bulb of the African pygmy hedgehog conform to the conserved structural organisation observed in other mammals. The combined histological and histomorphometric findings provide baseline quantitative and qualitative data for comparative neuroanatomical studies and suggest adaptations associated with the species’ sensorimotor and olfactory specialisations.</p> Graphical Abstract <p></p>

错误：搜索内容不能为空，请输入英文关键词
错误：关键词超出字数限制，请精简
高级检索

Microanatomy of the cerebellum and olfactory bulb of the African pygmy hedgehog (Atelerix albiventris)

  • 期刊论文

  • 出版模式：

    开放获取

  • 发表日期：

    2026年7月31日

查看全文
  • Luimommei Zethan Kpasham,
  • Augustine Chigozie Ajaebili,
  • Olumayowa Olawumi Igado

摘要

Background

The African pygmy hedgehog (Atelerix albiventris) is a terrestrial mammal with well-developed olfactory, visual, and auditory senses. This study presents the first detailed histomorphological and histomorphometric description of the cerebellum and olfactory bulb of the African pygmy hedgehog.

Results

Six adult hedgehogs (three males and three females) were examined using standard histological techniques, histomorphometric analysis was performed on representative sections using Fiji/ImageJ software. The cerebellum displayed the classical trilaminar cortical organisation comprising molecular, Purkinje cell, and granular layers overlying a fibrous white matter core. The molecular layer was the thickest cerebellar cortical layer (139.44 ± 5.84 μm), followed by the granular layer (115.67 ± 14.75 μm), while the Purkinje cell layer was the thinnest (23.84 ± 5.30 μm). Distinct cerebellar glomeruli were observed within the granular layer as pale eosinophilic regions interspersed among densely packed granule cells. The olfactory bulb consisted of seven layers: the olfactory nerve layer, glomerular layer, external plexiform layer, mitral cell layer, internal plexiform layer, granule cell layer, and subventricular zone. Histomorphometric analysis revealed that the granule cell layer was the thickest olfactory bulb layer (248.30 ± 16.37 μm), whereas the mitral cell layer (17.74 ± 4.75 μm) and internal plexiform layer (15.74 ± 3.28 μm) were comparatively thin. Mitral, tufted, periglomerular, and granule cells were readily identifiable, reflecting the hedgehog’s reliance on olfaction for behaviours such as foraging and predator avoidance.

Conclusions

The cerebellum and olfactory bulb of the African pygmy hedgehog conform to the conserved structural organisation observed in other mammals. The combined histological and histomorphometric findings provide baseline quantitative and qualitative data for comparative neuroanatomical studies and suggest adaptations associated with the species’ sensorimotor and olfactory specialisations.

Graphical Abstract