Effect of castration and testosterone administration on filiform and fungiform papillae of albino rat tongue

The effects of testosterone on the filiform and fungiform lingual papillae were studied in 16 adult male albino rats. They were divided into 4 groups: Animals of group I were used as control, that of group II were injected by testosterone for 2 weeks, animals of group III were castrated and that of group IV were castrated and injected by testosterone for 2 weeks. Scanning electron and light microscopic studies revealed hypertrophy of the filiform and fungiform papillae after testosterone administration. Atrophy of the papillae was observed after castration. However, the papillae appeared similar to the control and testosterone was administered to the orchidectomized animals