The relation of nerves to multiple regeneration in a single newt limb.
Three amputation surfaces were formed on the lower arm of a single newt. Growth occurred on all combinations of these surfaces. The proximal surface (the only single surface to form regenerates) produced more regenerates (76% of the cases) than the two more distal surfaces. Blocking the proximal surface with whole skin greatly stimulates the production of accessory structures on the first and/or second more distal surfaces. The mean number of nerve fibers on the proximal surface is considerably higher than the nerve counts of the first more and second most distal surfaces. Limbs possessing a notch or digit(s) on the proximal surface and the absence of growth on the first more and second distal surfaces also show a decrease in nerve number on the first more and second most distal surfaces. An analysis of the mean number of nerve fibers on the blocked (proximal) surface shows a noticeable decrease in comparison with nerve fibers in an equivalent level on normal limbs. Nerve fiber counts on the first more and second most distal surfaces are markedly increased on those limbs where the proximal surface was blocked with whole skin. Threshold experiments suggest that the irregular occurrence of accessory structures on the first more distal and second most distal surfaces may be related to an insufficient number of nerve fibers on these surfaces. Similarly, a possible explanation for the regular occurrence of accessory structures on the proximal surface is that nerve number on this surface is always above threshold.
D000818:Animals; D003714:Denervation; D005552:Forelimb / Q000294:innervation / Q000502:physiology; D009416:Nerve Regeneration; D009474:Neurons / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology*; D012455:Salamandridae; D012879:Skin Physiological Phenomena