Abstract: Object To detect the expression of β-NGF, p75NTR and hair follicle stem cell specific markers in vibrissa hair follicle of developing rat embryo. Methods Using frozen section and Immunohistochemistry to detect the expression of β-NGF and p75NTR, finally analysis data. Results The expressions of β-NGF and p75NTR in rat embryo vibrissa follicle change regularly. The expressions of three stem cell markers were different. Hair follicle stem cells (HFSCs) not only located in upper-hair follicle, but also in 3/4 of the lower part of the hair follicle in early stage of hair follicle morphogenesis. Conclusion The expression of β-NGF and p75NTR may be correlated with characteristics of hair follicle and hair follicle stem cells.

Key words: Rat embryo, Hair follicle, β-NGF, p75NTR