Acid Phosphatase in Growing Axons and Degenerated Nerve Tissue

Abstract

Neuron studies were made on cats, 1, 2, 5, 10, 15, 20 and 70 days old and on adults. Variations in the appearance of the enzyme acid phosphatase were correlated with the phylogenetic background of the several nerve tracts as well as the ontogenetic age of the animal. The pyramidal tract gave an incomplete reaction until after the 70th day. Degenerating neuron were studied in the pyramidal tract in cats and monkeys after removing the motor cortex. In 2 monkeys, the entire degenerating field gave a marked phosphatase reaction. This reaction was negative in 2 cats.