Evidence of turnover of mammalian Merkel cells.
The Merkel cells in the snout of the pig and the lips of the sheep were studied by transmission electron microscopy. They were subdivided into three main subgroups that are believed to represent different stages in the life cycle of the cells. A final dermal disintegration of the cells is proposed. The observations are discussed in relation to earlier reports on the avian Merkel cells.
Nafstad
P H
PH
Norwegian College of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Anatomy, Oslo.
D000818:Animals; D002453:Cell Cycle; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D002470:Cell Survival; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D012756:Sheep; D012867:Skin / Q000294:innervation / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D013552:Swine