Effects of temperature on denervated carotid body (glomus) cells

Cat carotid bodies were denervated for 3-31 days by sectioning the carotid nerve. The normal response of glomus cells to cooling by about 6 degrees C, namely, membrane depolarization and reduced input resistance (Ro) was altered. At 3 days, cooling induced normal depolarization although Ro decreased more markedly. At 7 days, cooling depolarized 53% of the cells which was accompanied by variable Ro changes. Forty-seven percent of the cells were hyperpolarized and their Ro increased. At 16 days, a fall in temperature depolarized 25% of the cells which showed variable changes in Ro, whereas the rest showed hyperpolarization and increased Ro. At 31 days, cooling weakly depolarized 64% of the cells together with a small reduction in Ro whereas 28% showed some hyperpolarization and larger Ro. It is concluded that sensory denervation alters the membrane of glomus cells, the preneuronal component of the receptor complex.