Induction of fos expression by activity in the spinal rhythm generator for scratching.
Fos expression was evaluated immunohistochemically in L7-S1 spinal segments after inducing fictive scratching in paralysed, unanaesthetized, decerebrate cats. The activity was induced by cutaneous stimulation of the pinna on one side and recorded from peripheral nerves. A cumulative duration of scratching of 60 to 90 min was effective in inducing fos expression. Most Fos-positive neurones were found in the dorsolateral part of the ventral horn and in the intermediate region of the spinal cord on the scratching side. In sham-operated animals the finding of Fos-positive neurones in these areas was very rare.
Barajon
I
I
Institute of Anatomy, Università degli Studi di Milano, Italy.
Gossard
J P
JP
Hultborn
H
H
D000818:Animals; D001522:Behavior, Animal / Q000502:physiology*; D002415:Cats; D015870:Gene Expression / Q000502:physiology*; D016762:Genes, fos / Q000502:physiology*; D016612:Paraffin Embedding; D012018:Reflex / Q000502:physiology*; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000502:physiology*