Some metabolic responses of axotomized neurones to contact between their axons and denervated muscle

The nucleolar and cell body dry mass and nucleic acid content of hypoglossal neurones were measured in adult rats using interference microscopy and ultra-violet absorption microspectrography.2. The left hypoglossal nerve was transplanted into the ipsilateral sternomastoid. Seventy days later the sternomastoid was denervated by dividing the ipsilateral spinal accessory nerve. This was followed by metabolic changes in hypoglossal nerve cells.3. The changes induced in hypoglossal neurones by division of the ipsilateral accessory nerve did not occur if botulinum toxin was injected locally at the same time.4. In other rats the left hypoglossal nerve was anastomosed to the proximal stump of the ipsilateral median nerve simultaneously divided at the level of the wrist. Seventy days later this median nerve was divided in the axilla. This was followed by metabolic changes in hypoglossal nerve cells.5. These results are discussed in relation to the possible roles of reacting Schwann cells, degenerating axoplasm and denervated muscle in maintaining aspects of the metabolic response of nerve cells to injury.6. It is suggested that the synthesis of acetylcholine by an axonal ending, or its release, is dependent upon the presence of an adjacent membrane which can respond to it, and that the metabolic changes measured in the nerve cell body are secondary to this response of the axon terminal.