The reconnection of auditory posterior root fibers in the red-eared turtle, Chrysemys scripta elegans

Abstract

The auditory portion of the eighth nerve, the posterior root, was transected in Chrysemys scripta elegans. Two groups of animals were allowed to survive; one for 22 days and the second for 64 days. Each group was then reoperated to inject HRP into the cochlear duct and allowed to survive for an additional three days — for a total survival time of 25 days and 67 days. The 67 day survivors had HRP reaction product in the eighth nerve and the primary auditory nuclei, while the 25-day survivors did not. Degeneration byproduct was present in the same structures in the 25-day survivors while little was in the 67-day survivors. These results indicate a reconnection of the eighth nerve fibers to the acoustic tubercle.