title: Autotomy in rats after nerve section compared with nerve degeneration following intraneural injection of Ricinus communis agglutinin I.
abstract: Partial unilateral deafferentation of the hind limb of rats was carried out by section of the sciatic nerve or the intraneural injection of Ricinus communis agglutinin 1 (RCA I). The development of autotomy was observed over a 6 week period. The axotomized animals autotomized more than those injected with RCA I. A neuroma developed on the proximal stump of the axotomized nerves. Within 7 days the axons of the RCA I-injected nerve degenerated and the cell bodies in dorsal root ganglia L4 and L5 were destroyed. Since the RCA I-injected animals autotomized, it is concluded that purely central factors have a role in the generation of this abnormal behavior. As the axotomized animals autotomized more than the RCA I-treated ones it is further concluded that abnormal impulse activity arising from a neuroma may be an additional factor in causing autotomy.
mesh_terms: D000344:Afferent Pathways / Q000503:physiopathology; D000818:Animals; D005727:Ganglia, Spinal / Q000187:drug effects; D037102:Lectins / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007866:Leg / Q000294:innervation; D008297:Male; D009410:Nerve Degeneration / Q000187:drug effects*; D009416:Nerve Regeneration / Q000187:drug effects*; D037121:Plant Lectins; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D012584:Sciatic Nerve / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000601:surgery; D012652:Self Mutilation / Q000503:physiopathology*; D013126:Spinal Nerve Roots / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D037102:Lectins; D037121:Plant Lectins; C017707:Ricinus communis agglutinin-1