Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 6, 2026
Combining Peripheral Nerve Grafting and Matrix Modulation to Repair the Injured Rat Spinal Cord
Published on: November 20, 2009
Assessment of neuroregenerative effect of dihydrotestosterone, on peripheral nerve regeneration using allografts: a
Objectives:
Effects of dihydrotestosterone on nerve allograft were studied in a rat sciatic nerve model.
Methods:
30 healthy male white Wistar rats were castrated and randomised into three experimental groups (n = 10): Normal control group (NC), autograft group (AUTO), allograft group (ALLO) and dihydrotestosterone-treated group (ALLO/DHT). In NC group, left sciatic nerve was exposed and left intact. In autograft group, a segment of sciatic nerve was transected and reimplanted reversely. In the ALLO group, the left sciatic nerve was exposed and transected where a 10-mm segment was excised. The same procedure was performed in the ALLO/DHT group. The harvested nerves of the rats of ALLO group were served as allograft for ALLO/DHT group and vice versa. The NC, AUTO and ALLO groups received 300 μl phosphate buffered saline (PBS) intraperitoneally once a day for 1 week and the ALLO/DHT group received 300 μl DHT (1 mg/kg/day) interaperitoneally once a day for 1 week.
Results:
The results showed earlier regeneration of axons in ALLO/DHT than in ALLO group (P < 0.05). Histomorphometic and immunohistochemical studies also showed earlier regeneration of axons in ALLO/DHT than in ALLO group (P < 0.05).
Discussions:
Administration of DHT could accelerate functional recovery after nerve allografting in sciatic nerve and may have implications in clinical practice.
