Central projections of cervical primary afferent fibers in the guinea pig: an HRP and WGA/HRP tracer study

The central course and the projections of the first and the second cervical dorsal root ganglia and of suboccipital muscle primary afferent fibers in the guinea pig were studied by means of anterograde transport of wheat germ agglutinin conjugated to horseradish peroxidase (WGA/HRP) or aqueous solution of horseradish peroxidase (HRP). Injections of WGA/HRP into the second cervical dorsal root ganglion produced labeling in the dorsal and ventral horns. Within the spinal cord, the largest amount of HRP reaction product was found within the lateral third of the substantia gelatinosa and within the central cervical nucleus. The main area of termination in the medulla was the external cuneate nucleus. However, HRP reaction product was also found within the medial and inferior vestibular nuclei, cell group x, the perihypoglossal nuclei, the nucleus of the solitary tract, and the nucleus of the spinal trigeminal tract. Descending fibers could be detected as caudal as spinal segment T5. Injections of WGA/HRP into the first cervical dorsal root ganglion produced heavy terminal label within the central cervical nucleus but not within the substantia gelatinosa. Again, the external cuneate nucleus was the main area of termination within the medulla. Label could not be observed within the vestibular nuclear complex or within the spinal trigeminal nucleus. Injections of aqueous HRP into the suboccipital muscles produced heavy transganglionic label within the central cervical nucleus, whereas the substantia gelatinosa totally lacked terminal label. Ascending proprioceptive fibers reached the external cuneate nucleus and group x. Scanty projections could be detected within the vestibular nuclei as well as within the perihypoglossal nuclei except for the nucleus prepositus hypoglossi. Label was absent in the spinal trigeminal nucleus.