[Tactile cells (Merkel cells) during degeneration of cat sinuous hairs]

Degeneration of the tactile cells in epithelium of the cat sinuous hairs after sectioning the infraorbital nerve manifests itself as cytoplasmic vacuolization and induration with electron opaque bodies in it, changes in nuclear configuration and in chromatin density. At all stages of the experiment the tactile cells were practically observed demonstrating various degenerative signs. On the 45th day after sectioning the tactile cells disappeared completely. Structural changes in the tactile cells were preceded by degeneration and complete disappearance of tactile menisci from epithelium of the sinuous hairs. Perhaps, sensitive innervation is necessary to maintain differential status of the tactile cells in epithelium.