Summary
The development of neuro-muscular junctions between previously dissociated foetal rat spinal cord and somatic muscle has been investigated. The first indications of junction formation, both ultrastructurally and electrophysiologically, were observed after circa 18 days in vitro. The junctions contained numerous vesicles, but no secondary folds were developed even after 6 weeks in culture, and synaptic densities were not well marked. Functional endplates were found, and action potentials, endplate potentials and miniature endplate potentials recorded.
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The authors wish to thank Mr. D. Fraser, B. Sc., for valued technical help, and Mr. S. Waterman for photographic printing.
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Bird, M.M., James, D.W. An ultrastructural and electrophysiological study of the development of neuro-muscular junctions between previously dissociated foetal rat cells in vitro. Cell Tissue Res. 155, 269–282 (1974). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00221359
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00221359