Influence of Sensorymotor Cortical Area Damage on Spine Development

The goal of an experimental study was to assess the spine development in growing rats following pinealectomy and sensorymotor area damage. The author operated 46 rats (Rattus norvegicus v. alba f. domestica, aged from 3 to 5 weeks) in intraperitoneal anesthesia. In the first group of 22 rats pinealectomy was performed, in the second one (24 rats) the sensorymotor area 2x1x1 mm of the cerebral cortex on the left side was removed. Radiographs were evaluated two and four months after surgery. In the first group of 22 rats (aged from 3 to 5 weeks) after pinealectomy from the left side, quicker maturation was noted. Scoliosis was found in 5 rats four males), in 22,7%. The curves convex to the left side were revealed fourtimes. The mean scoliosis value was 10,8. In the second group of 24 rats, aged 3,5 weeks, scoliosis was observed in 8 rats (5 females), in 33,3%. The single curves were found fourtimes, convex to the left side threetimes. The mean value of scoliosis was 15,9. The differences between both groups in the scoliosis value, cervicothoracic lordosis, thoracolumbar kyphosis and weight were statistically significant.