Summary
Using whole mount preparations, nerve cells at the cut surface (head region) and also the peduncular-basal disk region were studied during various stages of regeneration (zero hour — 96 h) in Hydra. Leucomethylene blue staining technique allows excellent stainability of nerve cells and thus a statistical count of them at the specified stages of regeneration was obtained. Within 1 h after transection a significant increase (P < 0.001) in release of neurosecretory droplets occurs. Between 4 and 15 h of regeneration the number of perikarya remains relatively constant, but the number of processes increases by 200%. This indicates that neurons in Hydra have the capacity to regenerate their processes. Their growth in length is dramatically illustrated at 18 hrs. of regeneration. This degree of anastomosing arrangement is not observed in any other stage of regeneration. After this time the majority of processes break down releasing the neurosecretory materials. A study of the number of perikarya, the number of neurites and the number of neurosecretory droplets in regenerating animals reveals a continuous increase in the number of nerve cells and neurosecretory droplets released for up to 24 h. With the accumulation of nerve cells at the cut surface (24 h of regeneration) there is a simultaneous appearance of tentacle outpushings. The tentacles increase in number and length during the subsequent periods of regeneration. As the regenerative process approaches completion (72–96 h) the number of neurosecretory droplets released decreases, approaching the pre-transection levels as seen in normal animals. It is suggested that the neurosecretory material may act as a “trophic” agent which stimulates differentiation of interstitial cells into nerve cells and thus influences the regenerative process.
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This investigation was supported by the National Science Foundation, Grant No. GB-27395.
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Bursztajn, S., Davis, L.E. The role of the nervous system in regeneration, growth and cell differentiation in Hydra . Cell Tissue Res. 150, 213–229 (1974). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00222171
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00222171