Fig. 1. Morphological and functional analysis of the sciatic nerve in GFAP-null mice. (A,B) Staining for GFAP in nerves of wild-type and GFAP-null sciatic mice; GFAP is absent in nerves of the mutant. Ultra-thin (C,D) and semi-thin (E-J) section analysis of sciatic nerves from control and GFAP-null mice at 1, 7, 14 and 60 days after birth. No significant differences were observed. (K) Ultra-thin sections of the sciatic nerve from 2-months old GFAP-null mice. Both myelin-forming and non-myelin forming Schwann cells showed normal features. (L) Myelin-fiber density in adult sciatic nerve from control and GFAP-null mice. No significant differences were observed. (M) Morphometry of myelinated axons in adult sciatic nerve from control and mutant mice. No significant differences were observed per number and size distribution. (N) Rotarod test analysis and (O) electrophysiological analysis performed in mutant and control mice of 2 months of age. No significant differences were observed. Bar in J, 30 µm for A,B; 8 µm for C,D; 20 µm for E-J; 5 µm for K.