[Observation on the degeneration and regeneration of the Meissner's corpuscles in the monkey's denervated fingers following sensory nerve implantation under electron microscope].
OBJECTIVE
To observe the degeneration and regeneration of the Meissner's corpuscles after implanted sensory nerve into the denervated monkey's fingers under electron microscope.


METHODS
The two finger nerves of the monkey's fingers were denervated. Afterwards, one finger nerve was cut off, and the other was reimplanted into the denervated finger. After 1, 3, 5, 8 and 12 months, the finger skin was cut off and observed under electron microscope.


RESULTS
The degenerative changes of nerve ending in Meissner's corpuscles were observed after 1 month of denervation, and the basic structure of the corpuscles had no obvious changes. After 3 months, the axons of corpuscles were disappeared, and the volume of corpuscles was shrunk. The basic structure of nerves was disappeared, and the lemmocyte and neurolemma plate were changed after 5 months. The collagen fibrils in the corpuscles were gradually increased in 8 months, the endoneurial structure and interneurial matrix were completely disappeared and replaced by collagen fibrils in 12 months. After 3 months of nerve implantation, unmyelinated nerve fibers were appeared and grew into the corpuscles. A part of corpuscles innervated in 5 months. Most of corpuscles innervated and myelinated nerve fibers were observed in 8 months. And in 12 months, corpuscles innervated to normal level.


CONCLUSIONS
The implantative sensory nerve by means of reinnervating the original corpuscles and regenerating new corpuscles could innervate the degenerative Meissner's corpuscles.
Li
X Y
XY
Plastic and Burn Department, Tangdu Hospital, Fouth Military Medical University, Xi'an Shanxi, P. R. China 710038.
Chen
S Z
SZ
Li
Y J
YJ
D000818:Animals; D003714:Denervation; D005260:Female; D005385:Fingers / Q000294:innervation*; D008253:Macaca mulatta; D008297:Male; D008465:Mechanoreceptors / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D009416:Nerve Regeneration; D011897:Random Allocation; D012867:Skin / Q000294:innervation*