Problems with the use of the toe-spreading reflex in rats as an assay in nerve regeneration studies.
Stages in the return of the toe-spreading reflex after sciatic nerve injury were examined using the rat. It was found that the earliest stages in the return of the reflex do not indicate nerve regeneration, but rather reflect the development of adrenalin sensitivity in denervated muscles. Probably systemic adrenalin released during the reflex-testing procedure causes muscle contractions which imitate a nerve-induced toe-spread reflex.
D000317:Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists / Q000494:pharmacology; D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / Q000494:pharmacology; D000818:Animals; D004837:Epinephrine / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D009132:Muscles / Q000187:drug effects / Q000294:innervation; D009409:Nerve Crush; D009416:Nerve Regeneration; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D012018:Reflex / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D012584:Sciatic Nerve / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*
D000317:Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists; D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; D004837:Epinephrine