A scanning electron microscope study of the development of free axonal sprouts at the cut ends of dorsal spinal nerve roots in the rat

Summary Rat dorsal spinal nerve roots were cut and the tip on the ganglionic side of the cut was examined by scanning electron microscopy at 0, 7, 20 and 48 h after operation. Seven hours after cutting, free axonal sprouts had started to protrude from the cut end of the nerve. After 20 h the free sprouts were more profuse than at 7 h but were smaller and had a rougher surface. At both 7 and 20 h many of the sprouts consisted of a stalk 2–7 m in diameter with a bulbous end 5–20 m in diameter. A few branching sprouts were seen. At 48 h the sprouts were shrunken with a deeply furrowed surface. The significance of the surface structure of the sprouts is discussed.I.R.D. is supported by the Medical Research Council; P.K. thanks the Mental Health Trust for a project grant