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Quantitative histochemical studies of the peripheral innervation of cod (Gadus morhua) fast myotomal muscle fibres

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Summary

  1. 1.

    The neuromuscular end plates and preterminal axons of cod (Gadus morhua) fast myotomal muscle were stained for cholinesterase activity.

  2. 2.

    The number of end plates per fibre on superficial fast fibres (17.88±2.13, mean ± 1 S.D.) was significantly higher than that of deep fast fibres (14.79 ± 2. 48,P≪0.001). A small degree of multiterminal innervation was noted. The end plates showed a great variety in structure and size.

  3. 3.

    Fast muscle contains fibres with a wide range of diameters (20–240 μm). However, no correlation was found between the numbers of end plates per fibre and fibre diameter.

  4. 4.

    A terminal branch of a given axon innervates fibres of a wide range of diameters.

  5. 5.

    It is concluded that fibres of different sizes have a similar pattern of innervation and are unlikely to represent functionally distinct fibre types.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Physiology, University of St. Andrews, KY16 9TS, St. Andrews, Fife, Scotland

    J. D. Altringham & I. A. Johnston

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  1. J. D. Altringham
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  2. I. A. Johnston
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We are grateful for support from The Science Research Council and the Royal Society Scientific Investigation Fund.

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Altringham, J.D., Johnston, I.A. Quantitative histochemical studies of the peripheral innervation of cod (Gadus morhua) fast myotomal muscle fibres. J. Comp. Physiol. 143, 123–127 (1981). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00606075

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00606075

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