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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 26, 2026

A Neonatal Mouse Spinal Cord Compression Injury Model
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A Neonatal Mouse Spinal Cord Compression Injury Model

Published on: March 27, 2016

Motoneuron death after sciatic nerve section in newborn rats.

H Schmalbruch1

  • 1Institute of Neurophysiology, University of Copenhagen, Blegdamsvej 3C DK-2200 Copenhagen, Denmark.

The Journal of Comparative Neurology
|February 3, 2009
PubMed
Summary

Sciatic nerve injury in newborn rats causes significant motor neuron loss. Recovery is limited, with sensory axons regenerating into muscles, but muscle fibers are not reinnervated.

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Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Developmental Biology
  • Regenerative Medicine

Background:

  • Neonatal sciatic nerve transection leads to substantial motoneuron loss.
  • Adult sciatic nerves contain approximately 7,640 myelinated fibers, with 1,650 identified as motor axons.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the long-term effects of neonatal sciatic nerve injury on motoneuron survival and axonal regeneration.
  • To determine the critical period for retrograde loss of motoneurons following sciatic nerve axotomy.

Main Methods:

  • Sciatic nerve transection and crush injuries were performed on rats at different neonatal ages.
  • Histological analysis quantified myelinated fibers in ventral roots and sciatic nerves.
  • Horseradish peroxidase (HRP) tracing was used to assess motoneuron survival.

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Facial Nerve Axotomy in Mice: A Model to Study Motoneuron Response to Injury
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Facial Nerve Axotomy in Mice: A Model to Study Motoneuron Response to Injury

Published on: February 23, 2015

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Last Updated: Jun 26, 2026

A Neonatal Mouse Spinal Cord Compression Injury Model
13:31

A Neonatal Mouse Spinal Cord Compression Injury Model

Published on: March 27, 2016

Facial Nerve Axotomy in Mice: A Model to Study Motoneuron Response to Injury
10:11

Facial Nerve Axotomy in Mice: A Model to Study Motoneuron Response to Injury

Published on: February 23, 2015

Main Results:

  • Cutting the sciatic nerve at birth resulted in a deficit of 1,700 motor axons and depleted motoneuron pools.
  • Nerve section at 1 week old caused a deficit of 1,030 ventral root fibers, while section at 4 weeks old did not lead to retrograde loss.
  • Nerve crush at birth resulted in a deficit of 1,230 fibers due to incomplete axonal severance.

Conclusions:

  • Neonatal sciatic nerve injury causes irreversible motoneuron loss, with a critical period for vulnerability in the first week of life.
  • While sensory axons can regenerate into denervated muscles, reinnervation does not occur, leading to muscle atrophy and replacement by fat.
  • Axotomy in early life leads to significant deficits in motor axons and motoneuron populations.