Long-term persistence of enlarged motor units in partially denervated hindlimb muscles of cats

1990 ◽  
Vol 64 (4) ◽  
pp. 1261-1269 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. R. Luff ◽  
K. Torkko
Keyword(s):  
Motor Units ◽  
Contralateral Side ◽  
Cross Sectional Area ◽  
Type I ◽  
Sectional Area ◽  
Motor Axons ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Single Motor Units ◽  
Slow Twitch ◽  
Fast Twitch

1. It was the aim of this study to determine the effect that regenerating motor axons would have on enlarged or sprouted motor units that had been established for a relatively long time. 2. The fast-twitch flexor digitorum longus (FDL) and slow-twitch soleus were partially denervated by unilateral section of the L7 ventral root in 12-wk-old kittens. After 200+ days single motor units were isolated, and their isometric contractile properties were determined. FDL units were also tested for their resistance to fatigue and categorized as fast-twitch-fatigable (FF), fast-twitch-fatigue-resistant (FR), and slow-twitch-fatigue-resistant (S). 3. It had been established previously that regenerating motor axons via L7 returned to the experimental muscles by approximately 100 days. Therefore from 100 to 200 days it was assumed that the sprouted units would be in competition with the regenerating axons. The extent of the original denervations was variable and was estimated from the contralateral side. In soleus most denervations ranged from 83 to 99%; in FDL, from 37 to 81%. 4. In both soleus and FDL there was no evidence that the motor units had sprouted to any less extent than found previously. Within some soleus muscles the largest motor units were developing substantially more force than was expected. However, determination of mean fiber cross-sectional area from muscles frozen, sectioned, and prepared for histochemical analysis showed that this was attributable to increased mean cross-sectional area of the type I fibers.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

scholarly journals Comparison of M.Semitendinosus Morphometry and Structure in Gilts and Barrows at Market Age

2016 ◽  
Vol 66 (1) ◽  
pp. 132-137
Author(s):  
Ivana Božičković ◽  
Duško Vitorović ◽  
Miloš Blagojević ◽  
Ivana Nešić ◽  
Slavoljub Jović ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cross Sectional Area ◽  
Histological Structure ◽  
Fiber Types ◽  
Sectional Area ◽  
Morphometric Characteristics ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Fiber Number ◽  
Slow Twitch ◽  
Fast Twitch ◽  
Very High

AbstractThe aim of this paper was to investigate the differences in morphometric characteristics and histological structure of m. semitendinosus, between gilts and barrows of German Landrace breed at the end of the fattening period. Morphometric characteristics (weight, length, diameter and cross sectional area) of m. semitendinosus were not significantly different, while gender as a factor influenced the histological properties of this muscle. A very high statistical difference (p<0.01) in the total number of muscle fibers in m. semitendinosus was determined, with gilts having a higher total fiber number. The cross sectional area of fast twitch oxidative (FTO) fibers was significantly higher (p<0.05) in barrows. Gender did not affect the distribution of different fiber types: in both gender, the most present fiber types (48-52 %) were fast twitch glycolitic (FTG), FTO fibers represented 27-30 % of the total fiber number, while slow twitch oxidative fibers (STO) were the least represented (≈ 20 %).

Absence of regional differences in the size and oxidative capacity of diaphragm muscle fibers

1987 ◽  
Vol 63 (3) ◽  
pp. 1076-1082 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. C. Sieck ◽  
R. D. Sacks ◽  
C. E. Blanco
Keyword(s):  
Muscle Fibers ◽  
Continuous Distribution ◽  
Oxidative Capacity ◽  
Cross Sectional Area ◽  
Diaphragm Muscle ◽  
Type I ◽  
Fiber Types ◽  
Sectional Area ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Fast Twitch

The oxidative capacity and cross-sectional area of muscle fibers were compared between the costal and crural regions of the cat diaphragm and across the abdominal-thoracic extent of the muscle. Succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) activity of individual fibers was quantified using a microphotometric procedure implemented on an image-processing system. In both costal and crural regions, population distributions of SDH activities were unimodal for both type I and II fibers. The continuous distribution of SDH activities for type II fibers indicated that no clear threshold exists for the subclassification of fibers based on differences in oxidative capacity (e.g., the classification of fast-twitch glycolytic and fast-twitch oxidative glycolytic fiber types). No differences in either SDH activity or cross-sectional area were noted between fiber populations of the costal and crural regions. Differences in SDH activity and cross-sectional area were noted, however, between fiber populations located on the abdominal and thoracic sides of the costal region. Both type I and II fibers on the abdominal side of the costal diaphragm were larger and more oxidative than comparable fibers on the thoracic side.

SDH activity and cross-sectional area of muscle fibers in cat diaphragm

1986 ◽  
Vol 60 (4) ◽  
pp. 1284-1292 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. C. Sieck ◽  
R. D. Sacks ◽  
C. E. Blanco ◽  
V. R. Edgerton
Keyword(s):  
Negative Correlation ◽  
Cross Sectional Area ◽  
Myosin Atpase ◽  
Sectional Area ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Unimodal Distribution ◽  
Population Distributions ◽  
Slow Twitch ◽  
Slow Twitch Fibers ◽  
Fast Twitch

The succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) activity and cross-sectional area of individual muscle fibers in the cat diaphragm were quantified using a computerized image-processing system. The population distributions of fiber-SDH activities and cross-sectional areas showed considerable range within each diaphragm. Despite an overlap in the distribution of SDH activities between fast-twitch (i.e., those staining darkly for myosin ATPase) and slow-twitch (i.e., those staining lightly for myosin ATPase) fibers, differences between the two populations of fibers were observed. Fast-twitch fibers generally had lower SDH activities and greater cross-sectional areas than slow-twitch fibers. However, the range of SDH activities and cross-sectional areas of fast-twitch fibers was much greater than in slow-twitch fibers. The population distributions of SDH activities and cross-sectional areas of both fast- and slow-twitch fibers were unimodal. The unimodal distribution of SDH activities in fast-twitch fibers suggested that these fibers could not be clearly subdivided into two groups based on differences in their oxidative capacity (i.e., high- and low-oxidative fibers). These results were discussed in the context of the classification of fast-twitch glycolytic and fast-twitch oxidative-glycolytic fibers using qualitative histochemistry. In addition, the functional significance of the unimodal distribution of oxidative capacities in fast-twitch fibers was discussed in relation to the distribution of fatigue properties in fast-twitch motor units. A significant negative correlation between cross-sectional area and SDH activity in both fast- and slow-twitch fibers was also observed. The importance of this negative correlation in relationship to the diffusion of energy substrates for oxidative metabolism was discussed.

Enlarged motor units resulting from partial denervation of cat hindlimb muscles

1988 ◽  
Vol 59 (5) ◽  
pp. 1377-1394 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. R. Luff ◽  
D. D. Hatcher ◽  
K. Torkko
Keyword(s):  
Motor Unit ◽  
Soleus Muscle ◽  
Motor Units ◽  
Motor Axons ◽  
Unit Force ◽  
Single Motor Units ◽  
Partial Denervation ◽  
Slow Twitch ◽  
Fast Twitch ◽  
Polyneuronal Innervation

1. It was the aim of this study to determine the extent to which a mammalian motoneuron can sprout in a partially denervated muscle, which motor unit types are involved in sprouting, and whether polyneuronal innervation exists between sprouted units. 2. The fast-twitch flexor digitorum longus (FDL) and slow-twitch soleus were partially denervated by unilateral section of the L7 ventral root in 12-wk-old kittens. After approximately 100 days single motor units were isolated, and their isometric contractile characteristics were determined. FDL units were also tested for their resistance to fatigue and categorized as fast-twitch, fatiguing fibers (FF), fast-twitch, fatigue-resistant fibers (FR), and slow-twitch, fatigue-resistant fibers (S). The presence of polyneuronal innervation was investigated between pairs of like and unlike units. 3. The extent of the original denervation was variable and was estimated from the distribution of motor axons innervating the muscle via the L7 and S1 (soleus) or L6 and L7 (FDL) ventral roots on the contralateral side. In soleus, denervations ranged from 75 to 98%; in FDL, 60 to 97% (denervations less than 60% were not investigated). In general, motor-unit force increased in proportion to the extent of the denervation. 4. Within soleus, unit force increased to over 2 N, which was about 16 times greater than the average for a normal muscle (133 mN). However, most units increased in force to between five and 12 times normal. 5. Within FDL, the force development of type S units was unaffected by partial denervation. Type FF units increased by up to 11 times (4.3 N) compared with normal FF units (395 mN) with most increasing between two and four times. FR units exhibited the greatest relative increase in force [up to 19 times (4.3 N) compared with normal (225 mN)]. Most units were two to seven times the normal. 6. A few FDL units were glycogen depleted, the muscles frozen, and cross sections prepared for histochemical analysis. This indicated that the largest units contained approximately 5,000 fibers, and there was little fiber hypertrophy. In the extensively denervated soleus muscle, large numbers of small, presumably denervated fibers were observed. The innervation ratio of several large units was determined indirectly using mean fiber area. This gave estimates of 3,000-4,000 fibers for the largest units. Again, fiber hypertrophy contributed little to the increase in unit force. It was concluded that the increased force of units in both muscles was largely attributable to terminal and axonal sprouting of the intact motor axons. 7. No evidence for polyneuronal innervation was found in either FDL or soleus muscle.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Effect of Early Low-Intensity Exercise on Rat Hind-Limb Muscles Following Acute Ischemic Stroke

2006 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 163-174 ◽  
Author(s):  
Myoung-Ae Choe ◽  
Gyeong Ju An ◽  
Yoon-Kyong Lee ◽  
Ji Hye Im ◽  
Smi Choi-Kwon ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hind Limb ◽  
Gastrocnemius Muscle ◽  
Exercise Group ◽  
Cross Sectional Area ◽  
Type I ◽  
Sectional Area ◽  
Muscle Type ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Low Intensity ◽  
Low Intensity Exercise

This study examined the effects of daily low-intensity exercise following acute stroke on mass, Type I and II fiber cross-sectional area, and myofibrillar protein content of hind-limb muscles in a rat model. Adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned to 1 of 4 groups (n = 7-9 per group): stroke (occlusion of the right middle cerebral artery [RMCA]), control (sham RMCA procedure), exercise, and stroke-exercise. Beginning 48 hours post-stroke induction/sham operation, rats in the exercise group had 6 sessions of exercise in which they ran on a treadmill at grade 10 for 20 min/day at 10 m/min. At 8 days poststroke, all rats were anesthetized and soleus, plantaris, and gastrocnemius muscles were dissected from both the affected and unaffected sides. After 6 sessions of exercise following acute ischemic stroke, the stroke-exercise group showed the following significant (p < .05) increases compared to the stroke-only group: body weight and dietary intake, muscle weight of affected soleus and both affected and unaffected gastrocnemius muscle, Type I fiber cross-sectional area of affected soleus and both affected and unaffected gastrocnemius muscle, Type II fiber cross-sectional area of the unaffected soleus, both affected and unaffected plantaris and gastrocnemius muscle, Type II fiber distribution of affected gastrocnemius muscle, and myofibrillar protein content of both affected and unaffected soleus muscle. Daily low-intensity exercise following acute stroke attenuates hind-limb muscle atrophy in both affected and unaffected sides. The effects of exercise are more pronounced in the soleus and gastrocnemius as compared to the plantaris muscle.

Maximal force as a function of anatomical features of motor units in the cat tibialis anterior

1987 ◽  
Vol 57 (6) ◽  
pp. 1730-1745 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. C. Bodine ◽  
R. R. Roy ◽  
E. Eldred ◽  
V. R. Edgerton
Keyword(s):  
Motor Unit ◽  
Tibialis Anterior ◽  
Periodic Acid ◽  
Muscle Fibers ◽  
Motor Units ◽  
Cross Sectional Area ◽  
Sectional Area ◽  
Periodic Acid Schiff ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Single Motor Unit

In 11 tibialis anterior muscles of the cat, a single motor unit was characterized physiologically and subsequently depleted of its glycogen through repetitive stimulation of an isolated ventral root filament. Muscle cross sections were stained for glycogen using a periodic acid-Schiff reaction, and single-fiber optical densities were determined to identify those fibers belonging to the stimulated motor unit. Innervation ratios were determined by counting the total number of muscle fibers in a motor unit in sections taken through several levels of the muscle. The average innervation ratios for the fast, fatigueable (FF) and fast, fatigue-resistant (FR) units were similar. However, the slow units (S) contained 61% fewer fibers than the fast units (FF and FR). Muscle fibers belonging to S and FR units were similar in cross-sectional area, whereas fibers belonging to FF units were significantly larger than fibers belonging to either S or FR units. Additionally, muscle fibers innervated by a single motoneuron varied by two- to eightfold in cross-sectional area. Specific tensions, based on total cross-sectional area determined by summing the areas of all muscle fibers of each unit, showed a modest difference between fast and slow units, the means being 23.5 and 17.2 N X cm-2, respectively. Variations in maximum tension among units could be explained principally by innervation ratio, although fiber cross-sectional area and specific tension did contribute to differences between unit types.

Interactive effects of emphysema and malnutrition on diaphragm structure and function

1994 ◽  
Vol 77 (2) ◽  
pp. 947-955 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. I. Lewis ◽  
S. A. Monn ◽  
W. Z. Zhan ◽  
G. C. Sieck
Keyword(s):  
Succinate Dehydrogenase ◽  
Dehydrogenase Activity ◽  
Cross Sectional Area ◽  
Interactive Effects ◽  
Type I ◽  
Specific Force ◽  
Type Ii ◽  
Sectional Area ◽  
Succinate Dehydrogenase Activity ◽  
Cross Sectional

Interactive effects of emphysema (EMP) and prolonged nutritional deprivation (ND) on contractile, morphometric, and metabolic properties of hamster diaphragm muscle (DIA) were examined. Six months after induction of EMP (intratracheal elastase), saline-treated controls (CTL) and EMP hamsters of similar body weights were subjected to ND over 6 wk. Isometric contractile and fatigue properties of costal DIA were determined in vitro. DIA fibers were histochemically classified as type I or II, and fiber succinate dehydrogenase activity and cross-sectional area were determined using quantitative microscopic procedures. From histochemical sections, the number of capillaries per fiber (C/F) and per fiber cross-sectional area (C/A) were determined. ND resulted in progressive loss of body weight (ND-CTL, 23.8%; ND-EMP, 28.4%; P = NS). ND did not affect reduction in optimal length (Lo) of DIA fibers in EMP compared with CTL and ND-CTL hamsters. Maximum specific force (i.e., force/unit area) was reduced by approximately 25% in EMP animals compared with CTL. ND did not improve or exacerbate the reduction in specific force with EMP. ND attenuated improved fatigue resistance of DIA in EMP animals. No differences in fiber type proportions were noted among experimental groups. Significant atrophy of type I and II DIA fibers was noted after ND. Atrophy was proportionately greater in type II fibers of ND-EMP when referenced to EMP animals. Thus adaptive hypertrophy of type II DIA fibers in EMP animals was abolished. Fiber succinate dehydrogenase activity was significantly increased in type I and II fibers in EMP DIA. ND did not affect this metabolic adaptation of DIA fibers to persistent loads imposed by EMP.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Rat diaphragm during postnatal development. I. Changes in distribution of muscle fibre type and in oxidative potential

1996 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 391 ◽  
Author(s):  
MD Fratacci ◽  
M Levame ◽  
A Rauss ◽  
H Bousbaa ◽  
G Atlan
Keyword(s):  
Muscle Fibre ◽  
Fibre Type ◽  
Oxidative Capacity ◽  
Cross Sectional Area ◽  
Fibre Types ◽  
Type I ◽  
Sectional Area ◽  
Rat Diaphragm ◽  
Oxidative Potential ◽  
Cross Sectional

The changes occurring in the histochemical characteristics of the rat diaphragm during the postnatal period were examined. Fibre-type distribution, fibre oxidative capacity, i.e. succinate-dehydrogenase (SDH) activity, and cross-sectional area were compared in the costal (COS) and crural (CRU) regions, and across their abdominal and thoracic surfaces. The proportions of type I and IIb fibres in both COS and CRU increased with age, while the proportion of type IIa fibres progressively decreased. For COS, fibre distribution was homogeneous over the entire muscle and did not change after 4 weeks. For CRU, it was heterogeneous with a higher proportion of type I fibres on the thoracic surface as from the first week. All fibre types significantly increased in cross-sectional area between 1 and 8 weeks, with no significant differences in COS and CRU. Mean SDH activity did not differ between COS and CRU or across the muscles. Mean SDH activities-were low and identical in all fibre types at birth, and then increased, peaking at the 6th week in type I and IIa fibres. When total muscle fibre oxidative capacity was calculated from an index including fibre-type proportion, cross-sectional area and mean SDH activity, it was significantly higher at 1 than at 8 weeks after birth; this might have functional implications for the newborn.

Physiological responses of rat plantaris motor units to overload induced by surgical removal of its synergists

1988 ◽  
Vol 60 (6) ◽  
pp. 2138-2151 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. E. Olha ◽  
B. J. Jasmin ◽  
R. N. Michel ◽  
P. F. Gardiner
Keyword(s):  
Motor Unit ◽  
Fatigue Resistance ◽  
Motor Units ◽  
High Threshold ◽  
Surgical Removal ◽  
Type I ◽  
Myofibrillar Atpase ◽  
Force Output ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Single Motor Units

1. Rat plantaris muscles were subjected to chronic overload by the surgical removal of the soleus and most of the gastrocnemius muscles. Twelve to 16 wk later whole muscle and motor unit (ventral root dissection technique) contractile properties as well as histochemistry were determined. 2. Motor units were categorized as fast, fatigable (FF), fast, intermediate fatigue-resistant (FI), fast, fatigue-resistant (FR), and slow (S) based on contractile characteristics. Muscle fibers were identified as type I and type II according to myofibrillar ATPase staining. 3. Whole muscles demonstrated increases in wet weight, tetanic force, proportion of type I fibers, and mean cross-sectional areas of both type I and II fibers, as a result of chronic overload. 4. Tetanic tension increased by the same relative magnitude in all motor units whereas twitch tension remained unchanged. A significant change in the proportions of the motor unit types occurred in overloaded muscles, such that the latter contained higher proportions of FF and S units, and lower proportions of FI and FR units, than normal muscles. 5. The fatigue profile of a composite constructed from a summation of motor unit responses revealed that the overloaded plantaris displayed fatigue resistance similar to that of the normal plantaris for a given absolute force output. 6. Glycogen-depleted fibers of hypertrophied single motor units demonstrated uniform myofibrillar ATPase and SDH staining characteristics suggesting that metabolic adaptations among fibers of the same unit were similar after 12-16 wk of overload. 7. The finding that overload caused a uniform increase in the tetanic strength of all motor units, whereas alterations in fatigue resistance varied in degree and direction among unit types, demonstrate that these two properties are not controlled in parallel in this model. The smallest units maintain or even increase their fatigue resistance during the hypertrophic process, whereas high threshold units actually decrease in fatigue resistance.

scholarly journals Soleus fiber force and maximal shortening velocity after non-weight bearing with intermittent activity

1996 ◽  
Vol 80 (3) ◽  
pp. 981-987 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. J. Widrick ◽  
J. J. Bangart ◽  
M. Karhanek ◽  
R. H. Fitts
Keyword(s):  
Isometric Force ◽  
Weight Bearing ◽  
Polyacrylamide Gel Electrophoresis ◽  
Sodium Dodecyl ◽  
Cross Sectional Area ◽  
Type I ◽  
Sectional Area ◽  
Shortening Velocity ◽  
Adult Rats ◽  
Cross Sectional

This study examined the effectiveness of intermittent weight bearing (IWB) as a countermeasure to non-weight-bearing (NWB)-induced alterations in soleus type I fiber force (in mN), tension (Po; force per fiber cross-sectional area in kN/m-2), and maximal unloaded shortening velocity (Vo, in fiber lengths/s). Adult rats were assigned to one of the following groups: normal weight bearing (WB), 14 days of hindlimb NWB (NWB group), and 14 days of hindlimb NWB with IWB treatments (IWB group). The IWB treatment consisted of four 10-min periods of standing WB each day. Single, chemically permeabilized soleus fiber segments were mounted between a force transducer and position motor and were studied at maximal Ca2+ activation, after which type I fiber myosin heavy-chain composition was confirmed by sodium dodecyl sufate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. NWB resulted in a loss in relative soleus mass (-45%), with type I fibers displaying reductions in diameter (-28%) and peak isometric force (-55%) and an increase in Vo (+33%). In addition, NWB induced a 16% reduction in type I fiber Po, a 41% reduction in type I fiber peak elastic modulus [Eo, defined as (delta force/delta length) x (fiber length/fiber cross-sectional area] and a significant increase in the Po/Eo ratio. In contrast to NWB, IWB reduced the loss of relative soleus mass (by 22%) and attenuated alterations in type I fiber diameter (by 36%), peak force (by 29%), and Vo (by 48%) but had no significant effect on Po, Eo, or Po/Eo. These results indicate that a modest restoration of WB activity during 14 days of NWB is sufficient to attenuate type I fiber atrophy and to partially restore type I peak isometric force and Vo to WB levels. However, the NWB-induced reductions in Po and Eo, which we hypothesize to be due to a decline in the number and stiffness of cross bridges, respectively, are considerably less responsive to this countermeasure treatment.

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