HISTOCHEMICAL STUDY OF ANTEROGRADE FIBER DEGENERATION AND TRANSNEURONAL CHANGES IN THE OPTIC SYSTEM OF THE RABBIT

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Anterograde fiber degeneration and transneuronal changes in the optic system of rabbits were studied histochemically after transection of one side of the optic nerve. Oxidoreductases, particularly NADH_2 and NADPH_2 tetrazolium-reductase were used as marker enzymes in a study of the time sequence of glial activation. The microglial cells were found to be maximally activated very early, during the 2nd week, and their activity decreased after 6 weeks. At this point macrophage activity increased and reached its maximum level between 7 and 10 weeks. While the number of macrophages rose, that of microglial cells decreased. The oligodendroglial cells reached their maximal activity during the 3rd week. At this stage many hypertrophied cells were found in the optic tract, their activity decreasing after 6 weeks. On the other hand, the enzymatic activity of the astrocytes appeared after a short delay and high levels were reached in the 6th week, but activated cells were still found one year after the transection. The roles of the reactive cells in the various processes of Wallerian degeneration are discussed. Decreased activities of oxidoreductases were observed in the nerve cells of the affected lateral geniculate nucleus. The activities remained low for at least 18 months. There was much less enzymatic change in the superior colliculus than in the lateral geniculate nucleus.
日本組織細胞化学会の論文