A RODENT MODEL OF ORGANOPHOSPHORUS‐INDUCED DELAYED NEUROPATHY: DISTRIBUTION OF CENTRAL (SPINAL CORD) AND PERIPHERAL NERVE DAMAGE

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Abstract
Central and peripheral nerve fiber damage was produced in Long-Evans hooded male rats with tri-ortho-cresyl phosphate. Animals were dosed by gavage with intermittent or daily amounts of the organophosphate and examined after 2, 6, 12, 18 and 24 wk. The distribution of CNS (spinal cord) damage and the differential vulnerability among various peripheral nerves supported a dying-back classification for the neuropathy. Giant axonal swellings, containing massive accumulations of smooth endoplasmic reticulum, hallmarked the neuropathy. In spite of severe neurological damage the animals displayed only moderate functional disturbances. The rat is highly sensitive to the structural damage caused by organophosphates, although resistant to the ataxia.