Structure of tendon organs of the rat after neonatal de-efferentation

The number, size and structure of tendon organs were examined in leg muscles of the rat 3-19 weeks after de-efferentation performed in newborn animals by removal of the lumbosacral spinal cord. After this operation, tendon organs differentiated and grew in disused muscles and were innervated by prim...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Cell and tissue research 1985-01, Vol.241 (1), p.229-236
Main Authors: SOUKUP, T, ZELENA, J
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Aging
Animals
Biological and medical sciences
Female
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Hindlimb
Male
Mechanoreceptors - cytology
Mechanoreceptors - ultrastructure
Microscopy, Electron
Muscle Development
Muscles - cytology
Muscles - ultrastructure
Rats
Rats, Inbred Strains
Spinal Cord - physiology
Vertebrates: osteoarticular system, musculoskeletal system
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Summary:The number, size and structure of tendon organs were examined in leg muscles of the rat 3-19 weeks after de-efferentation performed in newborn animals by removal of the lumbosacral spinal cord. After this operation, tendon organs differentiated and grew in disused muscles and were innervated by primary sensory neurons, the dorsal roots of which had been disrupted. Three weeks after de-efferentation extensor digitorum longus muscles contained 14.1 +/- 1.0 (mean +/- standard error) and soleus muscles had 14.2 +/- 1.6 tendon organs, which corresponds to the mean number of tendon organs in the respective control muscles. The mean size of tendon organs was, however, changed. Tendon organs became on the average by 53% longer and by 35% thinner in de-efferented extensor digitorum longus muscles that were prolonged due to immobilization, as compared with shorter and wider tendon organs in de-efferented soleus muscle that remained in the shortened position. The ultrastructural differentiation of tendon organs was completed after the operation as under normal conditions. Thus it can be concluded that elimination of muscle function during the period of postnatal development indirectly affects the mean size of these receptors, but does not otherwise interfere with their morphogenesis.
ISSN:0302-766X
1432-0878
DOI:10.1007/BF00214645