title: The number of taste buds is related to bitter taste sensitivity in layer and broiler chickens.
abstract: The relationship between taste sensitivity and the number of taste buds using a bitter tastant, quinine hydrochloride, was investigated in White Leghorn, Rhode Island Red, and broiler chickens. The White Leghorn and Rhode Island Red strains were able to perceive 2.0 mmol/L quinine hydrochloride, but the taste sensitivity of Rhode Island Red chickens was higher than that of White Leghorn chickens. Broiler chickens perceived 0.5 mmol/L quinine hydrochloride. The number of taste buds in the White Leghorn strain was the lowest, then the Rhode Island Red strain, with the number of taste buds highest in the broiler chickens. The number of taste buds was well correlated with bitter taste sensitivity. Therefore, we suggest that the number of taste buds is a vital factor in the perception of bitter taste and may be useful in selecting appropriate feeds for chickens.
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal and Marine Bioresource Sciences, Graduate School of Bioresource and Bioenvironmental Sciences, Kyushu University, Higashi, Fukuoka.
authors.forename: Ken-ichi
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kudo
authors.forename: Jun-ichi
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Shiraishi
authors.forename: Shotaro
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Nishimura
authors.forename: Takashi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Bungo
authors.forename: Shoji
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Tabata
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002645:Chickens / Q000502:physiology*; D005518:Food Preferences; D008297:Male; D011803:Quinine; D013045:Species Specificity; D013649:Taste; D013650:Taste Buds / Q000502:physiology*; D055697:Taste Perception
chemical_list: D011803:Quinine