Cutaneous facilitation of transmission in reflex pathways from Ib afferents to motoneurones

1. The effect of volleys in low threshold cutaneous afferents upon transmission of synaptic action from Ib afferents to motoneurones has been investigated with intracellular recording from alpha motoneurones to hind limb muscles. 2. There was facilitation from cutaneous afferents of transmission in excitatory and inhibitory reflex pathways from Ib afferents without any evidence for difference in effect on di- and trisynaptic pathways. It is postulated that volleys in cutaneous afferents evoke excitatory action in interneurones of these reflex pathways. 3. The time course of the facilitation suggest that cutaneous afferents have disynaptic excitatory connexions with the interneurones intercalated in the disynaptic Ib inhibitory pathways to motoneurones. 4. Some observations are reported suggesting that interneuronal transmission in Ib inhibitory pathways to motoneurones might be facilitated from Ia afferents. 5. The findings are discussed in relation to the presumed role of Ib reflex action in regulating muscle tension.