Summary
The occurrence of Marchi-positive structures (MPS) in the L5 dorsal root and lumbar dorsal column was examined 1–18 weeks after unilateral sciatic nerve transection in rats, and compared to the occurrence of MPS during Wallerian degeneration seen after transection of L4 and L5 dorsal roots. There was an increasing number of MPS centrally to the junction between the peripheral (PNS) and central nervous system (CNS) and in the lumbar dorsal column ipsilateral to sciatic nerve transection throughout the examined time period. In the portion of the root distal to the PNS-CNS junction MPS were rare before 12 weeks postoperatively after which time small groups of MPS appeared. At all stages the incidence of MPS was just a fraction of that seen during Wallerian degeneration. From these observations it is inferred that few ganglion cells with myelinated central processes undergo complete disintegration after peripheral nerve transection. In addition, some of the myelinated central ganglion cell processes appear to be more severely affected proximal to the PNS-CNS junction than distally to it.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Adams CWM (1965) The histochemistry of the myelin sheath. In: Elliot KAC, Page IH, Quastel JH (eds) Neurohistochemistry, CC Thomas Springfield, pp 85–112
Aldskogius H, Arvidsson J (1978) Nerve cell degeneration and death in the trigeminal ganglion of the adult rat following peripheral nerve transection. J Neurocytol 7:229–250
Aldskogius H, Risling M (1983) Preferential loss of unmyelinated axons in the L7 dorsal root of kittens following sciatic neurectomy. Brain Res 289:385–361
Arvidsson J (1979) An ultrastructural study of transganglionic degeneration in the main sensory trigeminal nucleus of the rat. J Neurocytol 8:31–45
Arvidsson J, Gobel S (1981) An HRP study of the central projection of primary trigeminal neurons which innervate tooth pulps in the cat. Brain Res 210:1–16
Arvidsson J, Grant G (1979) Further observations on transganglionic degeneration in trigeminal primary sensory neurons. Brain Res 162:1–12
Berthold C-H, Carlstedt T (1977) Observations on the morphology at the transition between the peripheral and central nervous system in the cat. III. Myelinated fibres in S1 dorsal rootlets. Acta Physiol Scand Suppl 446:43–60
Carlson J, Lais AC, Dyck PJ (1979) Axonal atrophy from permanent peripheral axotomy in adult cat. J Neuropathol Exp Neurol 38:579–585
Cassirer R (1899) Ueber Veränderungen der Spinalgangliezellen und ihrer centralen Fortsätze nach Durchschneidung der zugehörigen peripheren Nerven. Dtsch Zeitschr Nervenheilkunde 14:150–166
Cavanaugh MV (1951) Quantitative effects of the peripheral innervation area on nerve and spinal ganglion cells. J Comp Neurol 94:181–219
Cupedo RNJ (1970) Indirect Wallerian degeneration of afferents from the masticatory muscles. Acta Morphol Neerl-Scand 8:101–118
Grant G, Arvidsson J (1975) Transganglionic degeneration in trigeminal primary sensory neurons. Brain Res 95:265–279
Grant G, Ygge J (1981) Somatotopical organization of the thoracic spinal nerve in the dorsal horn demonstrated with transganglionic degeneration. J Comp Neurol 202:357–364
Hildebrand C (1971) Ultrastructural and light-microscopic studies of myelinated nerve fibers in the adult and developing feline central nervous system. Thesis, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm
Lee KH, Chung K, Chung JM, Coggeshall RE (1983) Axonal conduction velocity and ganglion cell size. Soc Neurosci Abstr 9:257
McCaman RE, Robins E (1959) Quantitative biochemical studies of Wallerian degeneration in the peripheral and central nervous system. I. Chemical constituents. J Neurochem 5:18–31
Nagcotte J (1906) The pars intermedia of nervus intermedius of Wrisberg, and the bulbo-pontine gustatory nucleus in man. Rev Neurol Psychiat 4:473–488
Ramon y Cajal S (1928) Degeneration and regeneration of the nervous system, RM May (Transl and Ed), reprinted, Hafner New York, 1959
Ranson SW (1906) Retrograde degeneration in the spinal nerves. J Comp Neurol Psychiat 16:265–293
Ranson SW (1909) Alterations in the spinal ganglion cells following neurotomy. J Comp Neurol 19:125–153
Risling M, Aldskogius H, Hildebrand C, Remahl S (1983) Effects of sciatic nerve resection on L7 spinal root and dorsal root ganglia in adult cats. Exp Neurol 82:568–580
Westrum LE, Canfield RC, Black RG (1976) Transganglionic degeneraton in the spinal trigeminal nucleus following removal of tooth pulps in adult cats. Brain Res 101:137–140
Ygge J, Aldskogius H (1984) Intercostal nerve transection and its effects on the dorsal root ganglion. A quantitative study on ganglion cell numbers and sizes. Exp Brain Res 55:402–408
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Aldskogius, H., Cerne, H. & Holmberg, A. The effect of sciatic nerve transection on myelinated fibers in the L5 dorsal root and lumbar dorsal column. Anat Embryol 171, 181–186 (1985). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00341412
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00341412