Axonal dwindling in early experimental diabetes. I. A study of cross sectioned nerves.

A diminution of the cross sectional area of myelinated fibres in the common peroneal nerve was observed in rats four weeks after the induction of diabetes with streptozotocin. Small fibres were affected more than larger ones and the axon reduction was twice that of the myelin sheath. The fibre diminution and the decreased axon/myelin ratio may explain the slowing of nerve conduction in experimental diabetes.