Selective reinnervation in skin rotation grafts in Rana pipiens.

Skin rotation grafts were performed in Rana pipiens tadpoles producing misdirected reflexes in adult frogs. The pattern of innervation fields of dorsal and ventral rami of segmental nerves 3, 4, 5 and 6 were investigated by recording from the severed rami with suction electrodes. Innervation patterns of regenerated fields were influenced by graft borders and adjacent fields. Misdirected reflexes were found for ventral skin on the dorsal side only when innervated by ventral rami in a manner never seen in normal or sham operated animals. This suggested that selective reinnervation has occurred.