EN
Activation of the receptor 5-HT1A increases the rate of neurogenesis in the subventricular zone (SVZ) and its blocking reduces it. Cells generated in the SVZ settle in the olfactory bulb as its interneurons. We investigated in laboratory opossums if changes in the rate of SVZ neurogenesis infl uence olfactory detection of food and discrimination of conspecifi c odors. Four groups of one year old opossums were tested. The fi rst group was injected i.p. for 7 days with saline, the second group with 5-HT1A receptor agonist 8-OH-DPAT, the third group with partial agonist buspirone and the fourth group with the antagonist, WAY100635. BrdU was injected as a marker of newly generated cells. One month later opossums had to locate crickets hidden in the litter. Pretreatment with WAY100635 signifi cantly extended time needed for location of the hidden food in comparison to other groups. Next opossums were exposed for two days to samples of urine of two other opossums. Time of investigation of samples decreased with experience. Opossums injected with buspirone or WAY100635 investigated probes for a longer time and buspirone-treated approached them more frequently. There were no preferences for investigation of new odors. Post mortem investigation of the numbers of BrdU-labeled cells showed predictable differences. These results indicate that reduction of the rate of neurogenesis hampers olfactory detection of food, but detection of odors of conspecifi cs is infl uenced in more complex way