Alteration of Taste Thresholds in the Rat Following Low Dose X-Irradiation
- Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA (United States)
The taste thresholds for saccharin (sweet), hydrochloric acid (sour), sodium chloride (salt), and quinine hydrochloride (bitter) were determined in 32 adult Wistar rats, 8 rats for each taste material, before and after a 50 R, 250-kVp x-ray exposure to the tongue. Taste thresholds were obtained using a behavioral technique employing lateral hypothalamic stimulation for the reward stimulus. The preirradiation taste threshold values for saccharin 0.001%, NaCl 0.002%, HCl 0.001%, and quinine hydrochrolide 0.0001% were 3-6 times lower than previously reported values. Satiation for the reward stimulus (lateral hypothalamic stimulation) did not occur so that detection of the transient nature of the effect was accomplished with frequent daily taste threshold determinations. All animals experienced a 10-fold decrease in taste sensitivity within 24 hours following the x-ray exposure and all threshold values returned to preirradiation levels within 72 hours. The speed of onset and duration of the transient alteration in taste thresholds was dependent upon the particular taste substance under investigation. A study of the rate of tritiated thymidine incorporainto the taste bud confirmed the 10-day average life span for a taste bud cell and indicates that the immediate low dose radiation effect on taste is independent of taste bud cell renewal kinetics. Morphological study of the taste buds failed to reveal an anatomical explanation for the observed radiation change in taste acuity.
- Research Organization:
- Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- US Atomic Energy Commission (AEC)
- NSA Number:
- NSA-24-034627
- OSTI ID:
- 4137100
- Report Number(s):
- NYO--3359-10
- Journal Information:
- Radiation Research, Journal Name: Radiation Research Journal Issue: 3 Vol. 47; ISSN 0033-7587
- Publisher:
- Radiation Research SocietyCopyright Statement
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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