| dc.description.abstract | In order to understand how information is processed in a neural circuit, it is important to have an in-depth overview of all aspects of the circuit. For exploring the coding principles of the antennal lobe (AL), it is necessary to clarify the function of the glomeruli since they constitute the synaptic regions between the first- and second-order neurons in the olfactory circuit. The aim of the present study was to functionally characterize the AL output neurons confined to the medial antennal lobe tract (ALT) originating from two distinct groups of glomeruli in the AL, i.e. the macro glomerular complex (MGC) and the posterior complex (PCx). This was done through retrograde staining of the uniglomerular medial ALT neurons, providing the possibility to record from the dendrites of these neurons in the AL using calcium imaging. The present study demonstrates the first attempt to investigate the MGC and the PCx activity in a heliothine moth in response to a set of pheromones and interspecific components using this method. The application of these odor stimuli onto the antenna of the living moth evoked odor-specific responses in the labelled PNs, visualized as distinct activation maps of glomeruli in the MGC and PCx. The present thesis shows that the three MGC glomeruli mainly had responses to the following stimuli: in the Cumulus to the primary pheromone component, Z11-16:ald; in the DMA to the two interspecific components Z9-14:ald and Z11-16:OH; and in the DMP to the secondary pheromone Z9-16:ald and the interspecific component Z9-14:ald. The PCx glomeruli responded to four minor pheromones, i.e. 7:ald, 9:ald, 14:ald, and Z7-16:ald. In addition to component blends constituting the interspecific substances, and the primary- and secondary pheromones. | |
