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Changes in sudomotor nerve territories with aging in the mouse
1Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Spain.
Journal of the Autonomic Nervous System
|November 1, 1990
Summary
Aging reduces the number of functioning sweat glands in mouse hindpaws. This decline in sudomotor function may be due to fewer sudomotor axons and reduced nerve regeneration capabilities in older mice.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Physiology
- Gerontology
Background:
- Sudomotor function, the regulation of sweating, is crucial for thermoregulation.
- Aging is associated with various physiological changes, including potential alterations in nerve function.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate and compare sudomotor function in the hindpaws of young and aged mice.
- To investigate the impact of aging on sweat gland responsiveness and nerve reinnervation capacity.
Main Methods:
- Stimulation of sweating via pilocarpine injection and electrical stimulation of peripheral nerves (sciatic, tibial, peroneal, sural, saphenous).
- Quantification of responsive sweat glands using the silicon mold technique.
Main Results:
- Aged mice exhibited a decreased number of functioning hindpaw sweat glands compared to young mice.
- Peripheral sudomotor territories and sweat gland innervation showed a slight decline with age.
- Sudomotor axons and their regenerative/sprouting capabilities appear reduced in aged mice.
Conclusions:
- Aging impairs sudomotor function in the hindpaw, indicated by fewer active sweat glands.
- Reduced sudomotor axon count and diminished compensatory reinnervation capacity contribute to age-related decline in sweat gland function.