Effects of afferent inputs from mechanical and nociceptive receptors in the footpads on the monosynaptic reflex in the spinalized cat.
We previously reported that the effects of footpad stimulation on the monosynaptic reflexes (MRs) in the cat's lumbar spinal cord depended on stimulated footpads. In this study, the effects of different types of stimulation (tonic pressure, phasic pressure, squeezing and radiant heating at 50 degrees C) on the MRs were studied in 12 adult cats spinalized at T11-12. The effects of tonic pressure were very weak or not detected. The pattern for the effects of phasic pressure was similar to that for squeezing, but the effects of squeezing was stronger than those of phasic pressure. These results indicate that effects of mechanical stimulation were mainly induced from phasic afferent inputs. Radiant heating was effective, and differential effects between mechanical stimulation and radiant heating were observed in some MRs. Our results suggest a difference in neuronal pathways from various types of receptors in the footpads.
Wada
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Department of Veterinary Physiology, Faculty of Agriculture, Yamaguchi University, Japan.
Tokuriki
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M
D000344:Afferent Pathways / Q000502:physiology*; D000818:Animals; D002415:Cats; D004558:Electric Stimulation; D005528:Foot / Q000294:innervation; D006358:Hot Temperature; D009132:Muscles / Q000294:innervation*; D009619:Nociceptors / Q000502:physiology*; D010812:Physical Stimulation; D011312:Pressure; D012023:Reflex, Monosynaptic / Q000502:physiology*; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000502:physiology*