| The developing spinal cord exhibits neuroplasticity, making it a useful model for investigating
locomotor function and recovery following a spinal cord injury. Although complete recovery
after a spinal cord transection has not been achieved, locomotor training is often used to improve
recovery outcomes. This study examined the functional capabilities of the developing transected
spinal cord and evaluated the effects of treadmill training on locomotion. Rats received a lowthoracic spinal transection or sham operation on postnatal day 1 (P1). From P10 to P17, subjects
underwent treadmill training for three 10-minute sessions per day. Spontaneous locomotion was
assessed in an open-field test on P18 and categorized as non-, partial, or full weight-bearing, with
bout durations also analyzed. Treadmill training did not significantly affect locomotor outcomes;
instead, surgical condition was the primary factor affecting locomotor behavior. Spinaltransected rats exhibited longer durations of non- and partial weight-bearing locomotion,
whereas sham rats exhibited longer durations of full weight-bearing locomotion. Bout analyses
revealed longer non-weight-bearing bout durations in transected rats and longer full weightbearing bout durations in sham rats. Notably, transected rats demonstrated all forms of weightbearing locomotion. These findings suggest that the developing spinal cord retains capacity for
functional locomotor recovery following a neonatal transection.
Keywords: Developing Spinal Cord, Spinal Cord Injury, Spinal Cord Transection, Weight-Bearing Locomotion, Treadmill Training |