AIM: To study the relations of cAMP level and ultrastructure’s variation to initiation of axon regeneration in donor nerve ganglion after end to side neurorrhaphy. METHODS: The two Greater Auricular Nerve of Rabbits were anastomosed by end to side neurorrhaphy. The nerve on the left side was designated as Donor nerve, and the right one, the receptive nerve. At various postoperative time, the sumple of donor nerve ganglion C2 was taken to make camp assaying and observe the ultrastructure’s variation using transmitted electron microscope. RESULTS: In normal C2 ganglion, the cAMP level was (1.62±0.12) μmol·kg -1 . In donor nerve C2 ganglion, the cAMP level was lower than normal in early time(2 days), but it rosed rapidly in 4 days, and reachedclimax in 7 days after operation. Then it fell gradually and restored basically to normal in 60 days, so the ultrastructure did. CONCLUSION: cAMP level and ultrsastructure of donor nerve ganglion have changed immediately after end to side Neurorrhaphy. cAMP was a signal of axon regeneration and the ultrastructre’s variation was a reversible course. They are closely correlated with axon regeneration.
