Age related changes in the motor nerve conduction velocity in dogs.

The motor nerve conduction velocity (NCV) was studied in the ulnar and sciatic-tibial nerves of dogs of various ages. The adult values are reached between six months and one year of age. The NCV remains on a plateau range of approximately 60 +/- 10 m/sec from one to seven years of age. After seven years there is a gradual decline in NCV so that by 10 years the velocity is reduced by 10-15 per cent. In addition to the reduction of velocity there is also an increased dispersion of the evoked muscle action potential.