Taste preference following cross-innervation of rat fungiform taste buds

Abstract

It has been previously demonstrated that cross-innervation of rat taste buds alters some features of the taste input signal to the brain. In the present study the behavioral consequences of these alterations were assessed in a choice situation in which both water and taste solutions were available (two-bottle preference test). The taste preferences and aversions of operated control rats (one remaining IXth or chorda tympani nerve) were compared with those of experimental rats (one cross-regenerated IXth nerve). The reduced NaCl and sucrose preference observed 4 mo. postoperatively was probably a consequence of the specific effects of cross-innervation and not due simply to partial denervation. Little effect was observed at 8 mo. even though up to half of the existing tongue taste buds were cross-innervated.