Reflex mechanisms of interlimb interrelationships displayed in lumbar flexor centers of the cat spinal cord

Abstract

Interaction of segmental, propriospinal and spino-bulbo-spinal components of the lumbar flexor reflexes evoked by activation of the hind-and forelimb afferents with paired stimuli was studied in anesthetized cats. Coincidence in time of a reflex discharge evoked by stimulation of the forelimb afferent nerves with monosynaptic hindlimb flexor reflex causes considerable facilitation of the latter. The monosynaptic reflex increases for 40-50 ms. tthe polysynaptic flexor reflexes of segmental, propriospinal and spino-bulbo-spinal origin act upon each other in both a facilitatory and an inhibitory manner. Facilitation takes place only during the period of coincidence of the responses, inhibition when the responses are separated in time. Three types of inhibition with duration of 7-15, 40-150, 300-500 ms were observed. Possible neuronal mechanisms of interaction of the above-mentioned responses and their role in the inter limb interrelations are discussed