Examination of Taste Bud Volumes on the Side of the Tongue Opposite to Nerve Injury in Young and Adult Rats
Advisor Information
Suzanne Sollars
Location
Dr. C.C. and Mabel L. Criss Library
Presentation Type
Poster
Start Date
3-3-2017 10:45 AM
End Date
3-3-2017 12:00 PM
Abstract
The chorda tympani nerve is found on both sides of the tongue, and severing the nerve (CTX) on one side has been shown to decrease taste bud volume on that side. Studies have found that CTX increases taste bud volume on the side of the tongue opposite the cut nerve in adult rats, but these effects on young rats had not been studied. In this project, CTX was given to rats at 10 days of age. The taste buds of the intact side of the tongues were compared to the tongues non-surgical (control) rats. Additionally, adult rats were compared following either CTX or no surgery at 60 days. Tongue tissue was extracted 15 days post-surgery. The tissue was sectioned at 10 µm, mounted on slides and stained with hematoxylin and eosin. The perimeter of each taste bud was traced on a microscope using Neurolucida software (MBF Bioscience), volumes were calculated and comparisons made between conditions. In the younger rats, the mean taste bud volumes of the two conditions were not significantly different. However, in the older group there was a trend towards decreased taste bud volumes in CTX rats compared to controls. The intact side of the tongue has often been used as a control to compare with the CTX side in previous studies, and a comparison between CTX and intact sides of tongues were necessary for a more accurate understanding of past studies.
Examination of Taste Bud Volumes on the Side of the Tongue Opposite to Nerve Injury in Young and Adult Rats
Dr. C.C. and Mabel L. Criss Library
The chorda tympani nerve is found on both sides of the tongue, and severing the nerve (CTX) on one side has been shown to decrease taste bud volume on that side. Studies have found that CTX increases taste bud volume on the side of the tongue opposite the cut nerve in adult rats, but these effects on young rats had not been studied. In this project, CTX was given to rats at 10 days of age. The taste buds of the intact side of the tongues were compared to the tongues non-surgical (control) rats. Additionally, adult rats were compared following either CTX or no surgery at 60 days. Tongue tissue was extracted 15 days post-surgery. The tissue was sectioned at 10 µm, mounted on slides and stained with hematoxylin and eosin. The perimeter of each taste bud was traced on a microscope using Neurolucida software (MBF Bioscience), volumes were calculated and comparisons made between conditions. In the younger rats, the mean taste bud volumes of the two conditions were not significantly different. However, in the older group there was a trend towards decreased taste bud volumes in CTX rats compared to controls. The intact side of the tongue has often been used as a control to compare with the CTX side in previous studies, and a comparison between CTX and intact sides of tongues were necessary for a more accurate understanding of past studies.