Morphological changes associated with the growth cycle of vibrissal follicles in the rat

Morphological changes which occur in the growth cycle of the rat vibrissal follicle during the transitional period between consecutive anagen phases are described. In contrast with pelage hair follicles, there is no shortening of the follicle, no formation of a papilla 'rest' and no close synchrony between club differentiation and follicle regression. Telogen is therefore considered to occur after loss of the matrix of the hair bulb and maximal diminution of the dermal papilla to a small aggregation of cells. These difference are discussed in relation to current nomenclature of the hair cycle and the function of the vibrissal follicle.