Istituto di Scienze Fisiologiche, Universita` di Urbino, I-61029 Urbino, ItalyABSTRACTChanges in the number of satellite cells in neuron body sheaths indorsal root ganglia (DRGs) were studied from 1 to 5 months of age in controland in vitamin E-deficient rats; furthermore, the satellite cell proliferationrate was detected in the same groups of animals with immunohistochemis-try for 5-bromo-28-deoxyuridine (BrdU).ThenumberofsatellitecellsinsheathsofDRGneuronsincreasedintheperiod of life considered both in control and in vitamin E-deficient rats.Satellite cell proliferation was observed in both groups, but its rate wasfound to be higher in vitamin E-deficient rats.The results obtained in control rats confirm that mitotic ability isretained by satellite cells in adulthood and show that at least some ofnewborn satellite cells add to the pre-existing population.The results obtained in vitamin E-deficient rats suggest that a fasterturnover in satellite cell population takes place in these animals andsupport the idea that vitamin E could be an exogenous factor controlling cellproliferation.Anat Rec 256:109–115, 1999.