Developmental Series of the Foliate Papillae in New Zealand Rabbit during the Postnatal Life

The present study aimed to give a series on the postnatal development of the foliate gustatory lingual papillae in rabbits using scanning electron microscopy, histological and histochemical techniques. A total of 30 New Zealand rabbits (1 day, 1 week, 1 month, 3 months, and 5 months postnatal) were used as material. Several staining methods were applied including Hematoxylin and Eosin (H&E) for general features of the papillae; Masson's trichrome and Weigert's elastic stain for demonstration of fibrous core of the papillae as well as Periodic Acid Schiff technique (PAS) and Alcian blue for demonstration of developing Von Ebner's gland as methods for investigations. The papillary epithelium increased in stratification and keratinization from birth to the fifth month of age. The gustatory furrow increased in depth and width by desquamation of the lining epithelium and connected with excretory ducts of the lingual glands at the first month of age. Developing Ebner’s glands appeared with positive reaction of Periodic Acid Schiff and Alcian blue stains. Taste buds appeared at the first day increased in number and size and became mature at the first month of age. The structural adaptation and maturity of foliate papillae owing to the transformation of food ingestion from suckling to dry matter feeding.