Effect of testosterone on serotonin and noradrenaline concentrations and taste bud cell number of rat circumvallate papilla

Intramuscular administration of testosterone (T) to male orfemale rats produced a significant increase in the rate of developmentof the intermediate type of taste bud cells. T treatment produceda similar effect in rats previously submitted to the in-blockor selective removal of the main salivary glands. 5-Hydroxytryptamine(5-HT) and noradrenaline (NA) concentrations in the vallatepapilla of normal rats were sensitive to T. The concentrationof 5-HT decreased significantly and the concentration of NAincreased slightly, both with respect to the controls.