ABSTRACT

Purpose:

To investigate ultrastructural changes in different age groups, from birth to adult ages and in the senescence period.

Methods:

Fifteen Wistar albino rats were used, in five groups (group 1: new-born; group 2: 5 weeks old; group 3: 7 weeks old; group 4: 3 months old; group 5: 1 year old), with five animals in each. Semi-thin sections were stained with Toluidine blue and evaluated under a photo-light microscope after routine electron microscopic processing had been done. Thin sections were investiga-ted and estimated by Carl Zeiss EM 900

Results:

Three types of cell were determined in the olfactory epithelium in all groups. Lamina propria was a loose connective tissue that included blood vessels, connective tissue fibers, and Bowman’s glands. We did not observe any degenerative changes in the newborn or young groups, although considerable degeneration in the cilia and microvilli of olfactory neurons and sustentacular cells was seen in the elderly group’s olfactory mucosa. Apoptotic figures and cells were seen in the elderly group also.

Conclusion:

Senescence is a complicated period that decelerates the activities of organelles, tissues, and cells. For this reason, the degeneration and changes determined in our study in olfactory mucosa were considered normal