Non-selective distribution of hypoglossal nerve fibers after section and resuture: a horseradish peroxidase study in the cat.

The retrograde tracing method of horseradish peroxidase (HRP) was applied to examine the process of regeneration of severed hypoglossal nerve in the cat. After section and resuture of the hypoglossal nerve, the cats were allowed to survive for 4-6 months. In these cats, distribution of neurons labeled with HRP injected into the genioglossus muscle was examined and compared with that in the normal cat. In the operated cats, labeled genioglossus motoneurons were scattered within all subdivisions of the hypoglossal nucleus, indicating non-selective distribution of regenerating hypoglossal nerve fibers to the lingual muscles.