Fine structure of the adhesive pads of Gonionemus vertens

Summary The axonal transport of HRP in both the peripheral and central branches of dorsal root ganglion cells was studied in rats.For studying axonal transport in the peripheral branch HRP as a dry substance was applied to the peroneal nerve injured either by teasing, by cutting or crushing. After a short survival time (22 h) mainly small spinal ganglion cells of the corresponding segments were labelled, while after a prolonged survival time (70 h) mainly large cells were labelled. These labelling differences are referred to different transport rates or to differences in the process of accumulation of HRP in neurons of various sizes. No evidence could be found for HRP transport from the peripheral into the central branch.Injection of HRP into the spinal cord (survival time 22 h) or into the dorsal column nuclei (survival time 46 h) was followed by labelling of numerous spinal ganglion cell perikarya of all sizes. Reaction product was found also within the prebifurcation segment of spinal ganglion cell processes.On the basis of light microscopic exploration only somatopetal transport could be detected.This investigation was supported by the Fonds zur Förderung der wissenschaftlichen Forschung in ÖsterreichThe authors wish to thank Prof. Dr. H. Holländer and his coworkers (Neuroanatom. Abteilung, Max Planck Institut für Psychiatrie, München) for many helpful suggestions to improve the technique. Thanks are also due to Dr. E. Krammer and Dr. H. Gruber for stimulating criticism and to Miss F. Schramm for technical assistanceDedicated to Prof. H. Ferner with best wishes on his 65th birthday