Research Article

Study by scanning electron microscopy of the morphogenesis of filiform and fungiform papillae in the rabbit, Oryctolagus cuniculus f. domestica

Mirosława Kulawik, Szymon Godynicki

1. Acta Sci. Pol. Zootechnica, 12(4), 2013, 29‒44

Abstract. Rudiments of fungiform papillae were observed at day 18 of prenatal development. They were arranged only on the dorsal surface of the apex of the tongue and its margins. The fungiform papillae looked like a hemispherical, dome-shaped eminences. From day 22 of prenatal development, scanning electron microscope showed also that rudiments of fungiform papillae appeared on the body of the tongue at the front of forming torus linguae, and on its both sides. No rudiments of filiform papillae were observed at day 22 of prenatal development. However, after removal the epithelium, the connective tissue cores of rudiments of fungiform and filiform papillae were visible. Scanning electron microscopy showed on the surface of the tongue numerous filiform papillae at day 26 of prenatal development. They were arranged on the entire dorsal surface of the apex and body of the tongue, and on its margins. During morphogenesis two types of filiform papillae were noticed. One type of filiform papillae was similar to separated cones, another had 3–4 processes more. The similar changes was with the shape of connective tissue core. The fungiform papillae were located among filiform papillae. Scanning electron microscope showed three types connective tissue cores of developing fungiform papillae. One type was mace-shaped, another one was bowl-shaped and yet barred-shaped. At day 30 of postnatal development on the surface of the connective tissue cores of fungiform papillae, from its top towards its base there were parallel and longitudinal folds.

Keywords: domestic rabbit, lingual papillae, morphogenesis