Experimental neurology
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Experimental neurology · Nov 1984
Retrograde and transganglionic degeneration of sensory neurons after a peripheral nerve lesion at birth.
The sciatic nerve of newborn rats (less than or equal to 16 h old) was crushed with a watchmaker forceps. During the first 4 weeks after the injury, examination of ipsilateral L4 through L6 dorsal root ganglia, their dorsal nerve roots, and the dorsal funiculus revealed the presence of degenerating myelin and axons. Chromatolysis was not observed. ⋯ A total loss of about 60% of sensory neurons was found in the L4 through L6 spinal ganglia. About 58 and 64% of the myelinated axons were lost in L4 and L5 dorsal roots, respectively. The remaining perikarya and dorsal root axons were hypoplastic.