Developmental changes in taste response characteristics of rat single chorda tympani fibers

Integrated records show that multifiber responses from the chorda tympani nerve to NaCl and LiCl are of very small magnitude in young postnatal rats. When compared with NH&l, KCl, and citric acid, the integrated responses to NaCl and LiCl gradually increase in magnitude as a function of development. To clarify the basis of changes in multifiber responses, we recorded from single fibers in the chorda tympani nerve in postnatal rats aged: 14 to 20 days, 24 to 35 days, and adult. Taste stimuli applied to the anterior tongue were: 0.1 and 0.5 M NaCl, LiCl, NH4C1, and KC1 and 0.1 M citric acid.