Abstract
1. Using the histochemical method of KOELLE and FRIEDENWALD as modified by GOMORI for cholinesterase (ChE), the method of GLENNER et al. for monoamine oxidase (MAO) and BIELSCHOWSKY's silver impregnation method as modified by CAUNA, the morphological variation and the enzymatic activities of the sensory nerve-endings of glans penis, glans clitoridis and the mamillae of female breast were investigated.
2. There were three types of genital nerve-endings observed; 1. the hederiform type with weak ChE activity, usually small in size, 2. the MEISSNER type with moderate to strong ChE activity, medium in size, and 3. the glomerular type with very intense ChE reaction, large in size, often gigantic. Very few sensory nerve-endings were detected in the mamillae of female breast; they were of the MEISSNER type with moderate ChE activity and of medium size.
3. The MAO activity was found in all types of sensory nerve-endings but its activity was very low.
4. The tactile cells in the sensory nerve-endings were large and plump with fusiform nuclei which were not reactive for ChE, but were clearly visualized with hematoxylin and eosin, toluidine blue, methylene blue or neutral red. With silver stain, terminal non-myelinated sensory nerve fibers were seen leading to the tactile cells. The ChE activity was thought to be localized in the substance surrounding the tactile cells and non-myelinated nerve fibers in the end-organ.
