Fig. 11.

Gustducin immunoreactivity in developing vallate papillae of the mouse. A, Confocal images (1 and 3 μm thick at PD 4–8 and PD 14–adult, respectively) through whole-mount preparations of the vallate papilla from animals at different ages showing gustducin immunoreactivity visualized with FITC-conjugated secondary antibodies. Gustducin-positive taste buds are clearly distinguishable at all ages. B, Quantitative evaluation of the number of taste buds containing gustducin-positive cells during postnatal development. Mean number (±SEM) of gustducin-immunoreactive taste buds from five animals for each age. This number significantly increased from PD 4 to PD 14 (p < 0.001), with no further changes until adulthood. Asterisksindicate significant differences. PD, Postnatal day.