title: Neuron addition during growth of the postmetamorphic bullfrog: sensory neuron and axon number.
abstract: Neuron addition is one means whereby the nervous system can compensate for increased body size. Neurons can be added either by mitosis of stem cells or by late differentiation of committed precursors. Previously, the doubling of hind limb dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons in postmetamorphic bullfrogs (Rana catesbeiana) was found to occur in the absence of neuron proliferation (St. Wecker and Farel [1994] J. Comp. Neurol. 342:430-438). In the present study, we identify a population of cells in the DRGs of juvenile frogs that lack the appearance typical of sensory neurons yet are immunoreactive to a neuron-specific probe for neurofilament protein. These less differentiated (type-L neurons) could not be labeled retrogradely with horseradish peroxidase from the periphery or dorsal root. Despite their apparent immaturity, type-L neurons appear to have extended axons both centrally and toward the periphery, because axon number in dorsal roots and peripheral nerves was similar in juvenile and adult frogs. These findings are consistent with the existence in juvenile frogs of a population of incompletely differentiated DRG neurons that lack the physiological properties and appearance typical of mature neurons.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill 27599, USA.
authors.forename: M L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Meeker
authors.forename: P B
authors.initials: PB
authors.lastname: Farel
mesh_terms: D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology; D000818:Animals; D001370:Axonal Transport; D001369:Axons / Q000502:physiology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D005727:Ganglia, Spinal / Q000166:cytology / Q000254:growth & development*; D006735:Horseradish Peroxidase; D008675:Metamorphosis, Biological; D009186:Myelin Sheath / Q000502:physiology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D009474:Neurons / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology*; D011892:Rana catesbeiana / Q000254:growth & development*
chemical_list: D006735:Horseradish Peroxidase