Clinical Symptoms, Electrophysiological and Morphological Findings in Traumatic Lesions of the Ischiadic Nerve in Domestic Fowl

Abstract

In 1938, electrophysiological investigations after nerve compression in rats were conducted by Allen. Since then, various models of nerve compression have been described by Aguayo et al. (1971), Bentley and Schlapp (1943), Denny-Brown and Brenner (1944a, b), Duncan (1948), Dyck (1969), Lehmann and Pretschner (1966), Mayer and Denny-Brown (1964), and Weiss and Davis (1943). The investigations generally had no comparable clinical, electrophysiological, or morphological findings in a single animal. In addition, pressure neuropathies have been examined in quadrupeds. The hen with its two legs seemed to be not only a simple model for pressure neuropathy studies and comparison with man but also a cheap one. In 1958, Henschler used hens for testing neurotoxic substances, and in 1961 Glees and White did so in experimental fiber studies. In 1955, Koch and Heim pointed to the high body temperature and the higher rate of metabolism. The quick appearance of clinical and morphological alterations were described by Blank in 1966. Therefore clinical symptoms, electrophysiological, and morphological findings following nerve compression should be described in these animals.