Long-range afferents in the rat spinal cord. 1. Numbers, distances and conduction velocities

The caudal extent of the penetration of primary afferent axons from the T12 and L1 dorsal roots and sural nerve has been investigated in adult decerebrate spinal rats. Microelectrode stimulation at the root entry zone (REZ) and at further caudal points in the spinal cord was used to generate antidromic action potentials in single fibres recorded in dorsal roots or peripheral nerves. A total of 209 units were recorded in T12 and L1 dorsal roots and 27% of these could be antidromically activated 10 mm caudal to the REZ. Fifteen percent of the units could be stimulated at the L4-5 border, 15 mm caudal to the T12 segment whereas 4.5% of the axons could be stimulated 25 mm caudally in the S4 segment, 11 segments caudal to the entry segment. Similar recordings made from units in the sural nerve showed that of all the sural axons that penetrated to the L6 segment 50%, 18% and 2% of these reached the S1, S2 and S4 segments respectively. The conduction velocities of these units were clearly in the A-beta range when recorded in the nerve but decreased on entering the spinal cord and were reduced by 83% at their caudal end point. The results show that substantial numbers of primary afferents have long-ranging caudal branches in areas beyond the regions of known postsynaptic effects. The functions of these caudal projections are unclear but they may represent a potential substrate for the development of functional connections under conditions of disease or denervation.