The Response of Mechanoreceptors in Rat Skin to Biaxial Loading: A Preliminary Study

Mechanoreceptor neurons were studied in an isolated rat skin preparation subjected to dynamic biaxial stretch. The strength of the relationship between neuronal responses and mechanical variables was determined using multiple logistic regression. The experimental protocol allowed the normal stresses as well as the maximum shear stress to be manipulated. In n=4 neurons, response was associated with the time rate of change of normal stress and this response was affected by the direction of loading. There was no relationship between response and the value of maximum shear stress. There was a strong association with the rate of change of maximum shear stress.