【Objective】 To investigate a mice model of dysosmia induced with TritonX-100 and observe both the histological changes of olfactory epithelium and functional abnormalities of mouse olfactory organ. The above relationship between the structure and function is evaluated in the study. 【Methods】 The dysosmia model was established using the mice of 8 to 10-week-old induced through intranasal irrigation with 0.7% Triton X-100(TX). The The “buried food pellet” test was conducted separately at 3

7

21

49

and 56 days post irrigation to evaluate the mouse olfactory functional abnormalities

combined with the means of olfactory marker protein(OMP) immunohistochemical analysis of olfactory epithelia(OE) for identification of the changes in mature olfacory receptor neurons(ORN)

total cells and thickness of OE. And the relationship between “buried food pellet” test outcome and the mature ORN population of OE was detected. 【Results】 3 to 7 days after intranasal irrigation with TritonX-100

the mature ORN in olfactory epithelium

OE thickness and total OE cells were distinctly reduced. And the average time for finding food was obviously extended. At 21 days post-irrigation

the mature ORN in olfactory epithelium began to increase

and meanwhile the OE thickness recovered. A large number of newly regenerated cells were observed

most of which are OMP(-) cells. The olfactory function partly recovered

but the average time spent to find food is still longer than the control group. At 49 to 56 days post- irrigation

the mature ORN cells

average thickness

total OE cells restored and the “buried food pellet” test outcome recovered to normal. The food-finding time of mice was significantly correlated with the number of mature ORN in OE (r = -0.757

P < 0.001). 【Conclusions】 Behaviour test

combined with morphology and histochemistry analysis used in this experiment can be useful in assessing odor detecting capability. The dysosmia model was induced successfully by intranasal irrigation with 0.7% Triton X-100 (TX)

which was convenient

stable

reliable and restorable.