Reaction of synapses on motoneurones to section and restoration of peripheral sensory connexions in the cat

Abstract

1. Monosynaptic excitatory post-synaptic potentials (e.p.s.p.s.) were recorded from triceps surae motoneurones of the cat 2-8 months after section of the medial gastrocnemius nerve whose regeneration into the muscle was prevented. In other animals, the cut nerve was reunited to the muscle with a post-denervation delay varying from 2 to 6 months, and the e.p.s.p.s were recorded 2 months later. The e.p.s.p.s were evoked by stimulation of the medial gastrocnemius nerve central to the site of the section or reunion. 2. The mean amplitudes of the e.p.s.p.s decreased with time after nerve section, virtually disappearing by the eighth post-operative month. The decrement of the e.p.s.p. amplitude occurred more quickly in soleus motoneurones than in medial or lateral gastrocnemius motoneurones. 3. The e.p.s.p.s evoked in medial or lateral gastrocnemius motoneurones from the cut medial gastrocnemius nerve returned to normal levels 2 months after reunion of the cut nerve even following a post-denervation delay of 6 months. However, in soleus motoneurones the e.p.s.p. recovery was incomplete. 4. The degree of functional motor reinnervation of the medial gastrocnemius muscle depended upon the post-denervation delay preceding the reunion operation. With a delay of 6 months before the reunion, the muscle showed no or only weak contractions in response to nerve stimulation. 5. Axotomized medial gastrocnemius motoneurones showed a significant decrease in conduction velocity and significant increase in the amplitude of overshoot of action potentials. The changes persisted even when the cut nerve was reunited to the muscle 2-6 months after denervation. 6. When the cut medial gastrocnemius nerve was reunited to the muscle 4 months after denervation, most of the sensory fibres, tested 2 months later, failed to respond to muscle stretch. 7. It is concluded that recovery of monosynaptic e.p.s.p.s following reconnexion of the cut nerve with its muscle does not require recovery of muscle activity, full restoration of sensory activity or the recovery of normal motoneurone properties. 8. It is also suggested that the degree to which central synaptic efficacy declines and recovers following section and regeneration of a peripheral nerve depends partly upon the type of motoneurone (fast phasic or slow tonic) with which the sensory fibres form synaptic connexions.