Sex-related difference in collateral sprouting of nociceptive axons after peripheral nerve injury in the rat

摘要: Possible sex-related differences in the extent of collateral sprouting noninjured nociceptive axons after peripheral nerve injury were examined. In first experiment, peroneal, tibial, and saphenous nerves transected ligated female male rats. Eight weeks injury, skin pinch tests revealed that area sural instep expanded faster females; final result was a 30% larger increase females than males. second end-to-side anastomosis used as model for axon sprouting. addition to previous procedure, end an excised peroneal segment sutured side intact nerve. later, into anastomosed assessed by test counting. There no significant difference with respect percentages rats positive test. The number myelinated significantly (456 ± 217) (202 150) rats, but numbers unmyelinated not different. normal nerves, either all or thin did differ between two sexes. Therefore, more extensive observed is probably due higher capacity sensory females.