Effects of ischemia on the hind limb of the rat.

The effects of ischemia, induced by a tourniquet, were investigated on 36 adult Holtzman female rates in terms of damage to the ventral horn cell of the spinal cord and tibial nerve and motor end-plate degeneration and regeneration. Clinically, the rats were tested for sensory and motor loss and recovery and these results were compared with the histological findings. Ischemic periods of 2, 4, 6, and 8 hours were used followed by survival times of 3 weeks to 9 months. Histologically, there was degeneration and regeneration found to varying degrees in the nerve and motor end-plate. There were no changes found in the ventral horn cell. There was a loss of pain sensation in all animals, except the 2 hour group, and a loss of motor function. Motor function, preceded by sensation, returned in all animals. With the absence of ventral horn cell damage it was not surprising to find adequate regeneration histologically and, therefore, a return of both sensory and motor function.