The effect of tensional plastic deformation and of defects produced during this process on the change in temperature (Tc) of the superconducting transition of Re single crystals has been considered. The Tc dependence on the degree of plastic deformation has been obtained for different deformation temperatures and crystal orientations. Electron microscopy show that the defect structure of deformed Re is characterized by the presence of planar defects, i.e. a combination of slip bands and twin layers, between which single dislocations, dislocation arrays, loops, and dipoles are observed. Annealing and quenching experiments on deformed single crystals show that point defects and dislocations have a marked influence on the change in Tc while planar defects have an insignificant effect.