Golgi-Sehnenorgane und spinale Koordination der Motorik beim Kaninchen

Summary

Direct muscular contractions by an electrical stimulation (Tib. ant., Gastroc., Biceps femoris, Rectus femoris) in an unanaesthetized rabbit produce reactions or influence the activity in the muscles of the contralateral side and the forelimbs, following a precise pattern which seems to be similar to that of locomotion. A slight anaesthesia can abolish this reaction, and only a stretch reflex of the antagonistic muscle persists. The stretch-reflex itself is without influence upon the coordinative pattern. We assume that this coordinative pattern orginates from the Golgitendon-organs because this coordination cannot be demonstrated:

• 1. after severance of muscle nerve of the stimulated muscle,

• 2. after injection of Novocain in muscle districts near the tendon,

• 3. after cutting the tendon so that no tension can be developed,

• 4. after deafferentation so that an antidromic effect is excluded.

We assume that the role of Golgi-tendon-organs of one muscle is not only an inhibition of the muscle himself (see Granit 1950) but a very important factor of coordination in locomotion. So the contraction of one muscle can be the source of inhibition and excitation, mediating by a system of interneurons, which can be influenced centrally. It is interesting to note that we found a similar behaviour in normal human beings.