Abstract
The three-dimensional microvascular arrangement around the dorsal hairs in vascular corrosion casts of adult Wistar rats was studied by scanning electron microscopy. Each anagen dorsal hair was surrounded by a basket-like capillary network, which was supplied by the branches of the subcutaneous artery and drained into the veins continuous with the subcutaneous vein. The capillary network surrounding the anagen dorsal hair was denser at its lower part, and became more sparse at its upper part. Transmission electron microscopy showed that the capillaries around the hair bulb possessed fenestrations. Our findings indicate that the microvascular arrangement around the anagen dorsal hair is so organized as to supply the hair bulb, which is the most important area for hair growth, with abundant blood.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Durward, A. andRudall, K.M.: Studies on hair growth in the rat.J. Anat. 83, 325–335 (1949).
Ryder, M.L.: Blood supply of the wool hair follicle.Wool Indust. Res. Assoc. Bull. 18, 142–147 (1956).
Montagna, W. andEllis, R.A.: Histology and cytochemistry of human skin. XIII. The blood supply of the hair follicle.J. Natl. Cancer Inst. 19, 451–463 (1957).
Higgins, J.C. andEady, R.A.J.: Human dermal microvasculature: II. Enzyme histochemical and cytochemical study.Br. J. Dermatol. 104, 521–529 (1981).
Reynolds, E.S.: The use of lead citrate at high pH as an electron opaque stain in electron microscopy.J. Cell Biol. 17, 208–212 (1963).
Parakkal, P.F.: The fine structure of the dermal papilla in the guinea pig hair follicle.J. Ultrastruct. Res. 14, 133–142 (1966).
Sato, S., Nishijima, A. andHiraga, K.: Changes in basal lamina of blood vessels within hair dermal papilla: a possible relation to the hair cycle.In: Biology and Diseases of the Hair (Kobori, T. andMontagna, W. ed.), p. 87–102, University of Tokyo Press, Tokyo, 1976.
Hashimoto, K., Ito, M. andSuzuki, Y.: Innervation and vasculature of the hair follicle.In: Hair and Hair Disease (Orfanos, C.E. andHapple, R. ed.), p. 117–147, Springer-Verlag, New York, 1990.
Stenn, K.S., Fernandez, L.A. andTirrell, S.J.: The angiogenic properties of the rat vibrissa hair follicle associated with the bulb.J. Invest. Dermatol. 90, 409–411 (1988).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Sakita, S., Ohtani, O. & Morohashi, M. The three-dimensional microvascular arrangement around rat dorsal hairs as revealed by scanning electron microscopy. Med Electron Microsc 27, 95–98 (1994). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02348174
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02348174