The number and cycle of rat vibrissae according to topographic arrangement

Somatosens Mot Res. 2014 Sep;31(3):122-6. doi: 10.3109/08990220.2014.888993. Epub 2014 May 28.

Abstract

This study investigated the cycle of rat vibrissae by counting their number relative to their topographic arrangement. The average duration of maintaining single or double vibrissal shafts was analyzed. The ratio of the lifetime of the single and double shafts was around 3:2 weeks. The rostral and caudal vibrissae had relatively short and long cyclic durations, respectively; this difference may be related to their length and function.

Keywords: Count; cycle; hair follicle; rat; topographic arrangement; vibrissae.

MeSH terms

  • Activity Cycles / physiology*
  • Animals
  • Male
  • Neurons, Afferent / physiology
  • Physical Stimulation
  • Rats
  • Rats, Sprague-Dawley
  • Vibrissae / anatomy & histology*
  • Vibrissae / physiology*