[The temperature-sensitive function of the skin mechanoreceptor endings]

Impulse activity of the ischiatic nerves single fibres in response to focused ultrasound stimulation of the rat hind-foot receptive fields, was studied. The receptor units were divided into low-, average- and high-threshold groups by the value of their threshold responses. No impulse activity was revealed in response to direct action of cold or warm water on the foot in the afferent fibres. Warm stimulation evoked most obvious changes in the low-threshold units, whereas latency noticeably changed in the average-threshold, and potential activity--in the high-threshold units rather. The data suggests involvement of the average-threshold units in the temperature perception.