Objective To observe the pain behavioral performance of rats that different sensory nerve fibers were transected,and examine the expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor(BDNF) in these models.Methods Twenty-four rats were divided into three groups according to random number table method:SUR group,GS group and SHAM group, which received sural nerve transection, gastrocnemius-soleus nerve transection or sham operation respectively.There were 8 rats in every group.The expression of BDNF in the lumbar 5 DRG and spinal dorsal horn were detected,and the types of damaged cells were also observed.Results In GS group, 50% paw-withdrawal thresholds were significantly decreased on the ipsilateral hind paw compared with baseline and with those in SHAM group,and the paw-withdrawal durations in response to the thermal stimulus increased significantly (P＜0.01 ＝.In contrast, no change was found in SUR group(P＞0.05 ).The expression of BDNF in the lumbar 5 DRG ( (37.87 ± 4.23 ) % ) and spinal dorsal horn ( (21.9 ± 3.1 ) % ) was significantly higher in GS group than in SHAM group( ( 17.31 ± 2.12 ) %, ( 12.6 ± 1.3 ) % ), and no significant difference was found between SUR and SHAM groups(P＞0.05 ).FG opposite cells which also expressed BDNF in GS group were more than those in SUR group ( (47.7 ± 1.8) % and (26.7 ± 2.3 ) % ) (P ＜ 0.01 ＝.The percentage in N200 and FG double positive cells to N200 positive cells in GS group was significantly increased in GS group than those in SUR group ( (47.7 ±1.8 ) %, (26.7 ± 2.3 ) % ) (P ＜ 0.01 ＝.Conclusion The data suggest that injury of the sensory nerve innervating skin does not produce hyperalgesia, but injury of the sensory nerve innervating muscle does.Different kinds of neuron were damaged and the differences of BDNF expression is essential for this difference.