The formation of synapses in mammalian striated muscle reinnervated with autonomic preganglionic nerves.

Abstract

1. A study has been made of the formation of synapses during reinnervation of the hemidiaphragm of adult rabbits with preganglionic fibres of the thoracic vagus, using histological, ultrastructural and electrophysiological techniques.2. Following reinnervation with preganglionic axons, silver-stained nerve terminals were found in association with cholinesterase-stained end-plates only in the region of the muscle corresponding to the original innervation band.3. The fine preganglionic axons retained their normal structure in striated muscle, but were found to synapse over discrete areas of dimensions not larger than those of the original end-plates.4. The regenerated varicose preganglionic nerve terminals were observed with the electronmicroscope in positions either overlying or in the vicinity of the old synaptic folds.5. Spontaneous potentials and evoked synaptic potentials were recorded only in the middle of the muscle fibres after vagus reinnervation.6. In a few cases, multiple synaptic potentials with similar time courses were recorded, suggesting that several axons had formed synapses at a single site on a muscle fibre.7. It has been shown that, during reinnervation of adult mammalian striated muscle fibres with nerves other than those of the somatic system, synapses are formed preferentially in the region of the old end-plates.