Polysaccharide and cytoplasmic changes in motoneurons during "chromatolysis" in the opossum spinal cord

Following axotomy, motoneurons of the opossum spinal cord display an early "axon reaction" or "chromatolysis" characterized by a redistribution of ribosomes accounting for a widespread basophilia and an apparent reduction in the size of two distinct varieties of Nissl bodies. This alteration is accompanied by zones of increased extracellular glycocalyx demonstrable in light and electron microscopy. In addition, large intracellular periodic acid-Schiff-positive vacuolated zones in the neuron periphery possess numerous free ribosomes, glycogen, lipids, and huge vacuolated sacs containing a flocculent matrix material similar to that found within the sacs of granular endoplasmic reticulum. "Artifacts" in the neuronal periphery associated with chromatolysis seen in light microscopy are probably related to polysaccharide alterations and redistribution of granular endoplasmic reticulum.