23 citations,
March 2010 in “Medical hypotheses” Merkel cells may have roles in sensing magnetic fields, creating fingerprints, Reiki energy healing, passing on environmental information to offspring, and influencing hair shape.
11 citations,
September 2016 in “Journal of virological methods” Rabies virus was found in specific skin cells of rabid dogs' muzzles, suggesting these cells could help diagnose rabies.
11 citations,
September 1996 in “Neuroscience letters” Adding fetal calf serum helps Merkel cells survive and change shape.
6 citations,
June 2016 in “The anatomical record” Dogs have varying numbers of touch-sensitive Merkel cells in different skin areas, with most in the oral mucosa and facial skin, unrelated to age, sex, breed, or color.
2 citations,
September 1996 in “Neuroscience letters” Adding fetal calf serum to the medium kept Merkel cells alive and changed their shape.