Change of the human taste bud volume over time.
OBJECTIVE
The specific aim of this study is to measure the taste volume in healthy human subjects over a 2.5-month period and to demonstrate morphological changes of the peripheral taste organs.


METHODS
Eighteen human taste buds in four fungiform papillae (fPap) were examined over a 10-week period. The fungiform papillae investigated were selected based on the form of the papillae or the arrangement of surface taste pores. Measurements were performed over 10 consecutive weeks, with five scans in a day once a week. The following parameters were measured: height and diameter of the taste bud, diameter of the fungiform papilla and diameter of the taste pore.


RESULTS
The findings of this exploratory study indicated that (1) taste bud volumes changed over a 10-week period, (2) the interval between two volume maxima within the 10-week period was 3-5 weeks, and (3) the diameter of the fPap did not correlate with the volume of a single taste bud or with the volume of all taste buds in the fPap within the 10-week period.


CONCLUSIONS
This exploratory in vivo study revealed changes in taste bud volumes in healthy humans with age-related gustatory sensitivity. These findings need to be considered when studying the effect of denervation of fungiform papillae in vivo using confocal microscopy.
Srur
Ehab
E
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University of Rostock, Doberaner Strasse 137-139, 18057 Rostock, Germany.
Stachs
Oliver
O
Guthoff
Rudolf
R
Witt
Martin
M
Pau
Hans Wilhelm
HW
Just
Tino
T
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D018613:Microscopy, Confocal / Q000379:methods*; D010784:Photomicrography; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013650:Taste Buds / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D013651:Taste Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D013997:Time Factors; D055815:Young Adult