Levels of cyclic GMP and cyclic AMP in regenerating forelimbs of adult newts following denervation.

The effect of short-term denervation (0, 12, 24, and 72 hours) on the levels of cyclic 3'5'-guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) and cyclic 3'5'-adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) in adult newt (Notophthalmus viridescens) forelimbs at 15, 22, and 35 days of regeneration was investigated. Regenerate blastema and stump cyclic nucleotide levels were compared with those of the contralateral intact forelimb and hindlimb, with levels in the normally regenerating blastema, and with levels measured in the forelimbs of intact, nonoperated animals. Variations in cyclic nucleotide levels occurred according to regeneration stage and tissue type. Changes in level were noted immediately upon denervation and subsequently at other sample times in all regenerate and control series. Parallel fluctuations occurred in regenerate stump and contralateral intact forelimbs. Our results from nonamputated denervated and sham-denervated animals indicate that short-term, denervation-associated cyclic nucleotide fluctuations cannot be attributed solely to the loss of innervation.