Extra-bulbar primary olfactory projection in teleost fishes

Immunohistochemical investigations with anti-substance P antiserum demonstrate the existence of an extensive extrabulbar primary olfactory projection in several gymnotid teleost fish. This projection, never described before, originates in particular primary olfactory bundles which enter with the olfactory nerve into the olfactory bulb. While the bulk of the olfactory fibers end with glomeruli in the glomerular layer of the olfactory bulb, two particular bundles penetrate into the telencephalon and end, without forming glomeruli, in several telencephalic and diencephalic regions. A few fibers run as far as to the hypothalamus. In the light of these findings, the general notion that the primary olfactory projection is limited to the olfactory bulb and forms only glomeruli-like terminals, should be reconsidered.