[Autotomy of sensory nerve endings in the area of microvessels]

The phenomenon of autotomy of peripheral receptor terminals, in the area of the intestinal microvessel bed has been analysed. This phenomenon is accompanied with a real separation of the terminal patches or large fragments of receptors with their successive degeneration. The effect of the terminals autotomy is succeeded in reproducing and analysing in dynamics in tissue culture. The computer analysis of the image demonstrates that autotomy is observed not only in developing structures during early period of ontogenesis, but in well developed, as regards all morphological criteria, tissue receptors of mature animals. The investigations have been performed by means of silver nitrate impregnation after Bielschowsky--Gros, as well as using vital microscopy. An idea has been formed that autotomy is a part of the cyclic process of autotomy--regeneration of the terminals. This process is connected with retractile cytopoiesis, apocrine secretion. A high concentration of proteolytic enzymes in the amputated degrading fragment of the receptor can serve as a trophic factor, activating the local metabolic process in the area of microvessels.