The species specificity of organ regeneration of skeletal muscles in mammals

Summary

The capacity for organ regeneration was studied in 12 dogs on m. gastrocnemius. In the first experimental series on 3 adult dogs and 3 puppies, m. gastrocnemius was excised with retention of the stumps of the head ranging from 0.5 to 1.5 cm in size, while flexor digitorum sublimis was excised completely. In the second series of experiments, staged on the same number of dogs, minced muscular tissue was placed into the bed of the removed muscles. Followup observations ranged from 5 to 12 months. No regeneration of gastrocnemius occurred either in the first or in the second series of experiments. Tendo Achillis regenerated, up to the stumps, and adhered to them and the surrounding muscles.

Thus, no organ regeneration was observed in dog gastrocnemius, as distinct from rats [10, 12]. This points to the species differences in the capacity of the muscles of various mammals for regeneration. These differences should be taken into consideration so as not to overestimate this capacity.