NGF, also known as nerve growth factor, is crucial for the survival and differentiation of the nervous system, in addition to being involved in a number of non-neuronal systems. The aim of this work was to investigate the immunolocalization and expression patterns of NGF, its receptor, tyrosine kinase receptor A (TrkA), and p75 in the scent glands of muskrats (Ondatra zibethicus) throughout the breeding and non-breeding seasons. The scent gland mass showed considerable seasonal variations, with higher values during the breeding season and comparatively lower levels during the non-breeding season. While no immunostaining was observed in the interstitial cells, NGF, TrkA, and p75 were immunolocalized in the scent glandular cells and epithelial cells during both breeding and non-breeding seasons. NGF, TrkA, and p75 protein and mRNA expression levels were higher in the scent glands during breeding season compared to the non-breeding season. Circulating levels of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), testosterone (T), and T in the scent gland were all significantly higher throughout the breeding season. The relative levels of the hormones in the plasma and the scent glands as well as NGF, TrkA, and p75 were positively associated with each other. Additionally, transcriptome analysis of the scent glands revealed that differentially expressed genes may be linked to steroid biosynthesis, the estrogen signaling pathway, and neurotransmitter transmembrane transporter function. These results suggest a potential role for NGF, TrkA, and p75 in controlling seasonal variations in the muskrats' scent gland functioning.

NGF，也称为神经生长因子，除了参与许多非神经系统外，对于神经系统的生存和分化也至关重要。这项工作的目的是研究麝香鼠 ( Ondatra zibethicus ) 整个繁殖季节和非繁殖季节气味腺中 NGF 及其受体、酪氨酸激酶受体 A (TrkA) 和 p75 的免疫定位和表达模式。气味腺质量表现出相当大的季节性变化，繁殖季节的值较高，非繁殖季节的水平相对较低。虽然在间质细胞中没有观察到免疫染色，但在繁殖季节和非繁殖季节，NGF、TrkA 和 p75 在气味腺细胞和上皮细胞中免疫定位。与非繁殖季节相比，繁殖季节气味腺中 NGF、TrkA 和 p75 蛋白和 mRNA 的表达水平较高。整个繁殖季节，促卵泡激素（FSH）、黄体生成素（LH）、睾酮（T）和气味腺中 T 的循环水平均显着升高。血浆和气味腺中激素以及NGF、TrkA和p75的相对水平彼此呈正相关。此外，气味腺的转录组分析表明，差异表达的基因可能与类固醇生物合成、雌激素信号通路和神经递质跨膜转运蛋白功能有关。这些结果表明 NGF、TrkA 和 p75 在控制麝香鼠气味腺功能的季节性变化方面具有潜在作用。