Effect of vincristine on the histological structure of taste buds.

10 adult rabbits were arranged in five batches, 2 animals of nearly the same body weight in each group. 1 animal in each group was injected with vincristine sulfate whereas the other animal was similarly injected with the dissolving medium and used as a control. The animals were sacrificed 2 days after the last injection, and the areas containing the circumvallate and foliate papillae were examined. Injection of vincristine was followed by a decrease in number and in cell contents of vallate and foliate taste buds. Most of the taste buds which persisted after vincristine injection were full of necrotic debris which represented the remnants of degenerated cells. Possible reasons for degeneration of taste buds after vincristine injections were put forewards.