Myotypic Respecification of Regenerated Nerve-fibres in Cichlid Fishes

Abstract

In man and other mammals normal motor co-ordination is not restored, as a rule, after regeneration of a severed peripheral nerve-trunk (Sperry, 1945). The random misdirection of regenerating fibres into foreign muscles tends to prevent normal dissociated action within the re-innervated musculature. In contrast, larval amphibians have been found to show excellent recovery of motor function in the form of 'homologous or myotypic response' (Weiss, 1936, 1941) following the cutting and regeneration of limb-nerves, limb transplantation, and the cross-connecting of limb nerves to foreign muscles. Similarly, good restoration of muscle co-ordination has been observed in the pectoral fin of adult teleost fishes (Sperry, 1950, 1956).

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