Mean Axon Diameter Research Articles

Activity-induced morphologic changes in rat soleus nerve

The effects of 8 to 12 weeks of intense running or swimming on the morphology of the soleus nerve of the adult male albino rat were investigated. Nerve fiber diameter and number, axon diameter, and myelin area were determined. Mean fiber diameter (5.50 ± 0.47) of the trained rats was smaller ( P < 0.05) than for sedentary control rats (6.19 ± 0.27). The decrease in fiber size in the trained rats appeared to be reflected by a combination of smaller ( P > 0.05) mean axon diameter and myelin area. Total fiber number was not different in the control ( x = 113 ± 6 ) and trained ( x = 108 ± 4 ) rats. These results provide further evidence that a chronic, intense but physiologic exercise can impose a functional demand on peripheral nerves that can alter morphologic features that are closely related to conduction velocity and commonly are associated with neuronal cell size.

A morphological study of the axons and recurrent axon collaterals of cat alpha-motoneurones supplying different hind-limb muscles.

1. Intracellular injections with horseradish peroxidasewere performed in cat alpha-motoneurones supplying various hind-limb muscles. 2. Ten alpha-motoneurones from each of the quadriceps, posterior biceps, gastrocnemius-soleus and anterior tibial pools as well as from the pool supplying the short plantar muscles were collected for morphological analysis of the intramedullary axonal systems including the recurrent axon collaterals. 3. The diameter of the alpha-motor axons showed considerable variation within each motoneurone pool, the total range being from 4.6 to 9.0 micrometer. No significant difference in mean axon diameter was obtained between the different pools. 4. All alpha-motoneurones supplying the short plantar muscles and one single alpha-motoneurone supplying the quadriceps muscle lacked collaterals completely, while the remaining motoneurones gave off one to five collaterals. 5. The number of axon collateral outbulgings, interpreted as synaptic boutons, wihch originated from a single alpha-motoneurone showed large variation within each pool that possessed axon collaterals, the total range being from seventeen of 158. The mean number varied from forty-four (quadriceps) to eighty-two (anterior tibial). 6. The axon collateral outbulgings were distributed not only in the Renshaw cell area ventromedial to the main motor nuclei but also in those parts of the motor nuclei which were located in the vicinity of the parent cell bodies. In the rostrocaudal direction, the outbulgings were distributed within a distances of less than 1 mm around the position of the parent cell bodies. 7. Some physiological implications of the lack of axon collaterals from alpha-motoneurones supplying the short plantar muscles were discussed in relation to the functional characteristics of plantar muscles and motor units.

Development of onion bulb neuropathy in the Tremebler mouse. Morphometric study.

The Trembler mouse is a neurological mutant showing dominant inheritance. The periopheral nerves show a delay in myelination, segmental demyelination and the development of an onion bulb neuropathy. Using electron microscopy a comparative morphometric study of nerve fibres in the sciatic nerve in normal and Trembler mice was made. The animals ranged in age from 3 days to adult. The following features were noted: 1. Mean axon diameters of the Trembler mice were smaller than normal at all ages. 2. Myelination was delayed and myelin was thinner than normal in the Trembler mice. 3. The ratio of myelin thickness to axon diameter was reduced in Trembler mice. 4. There were no significant quantitative or qualitative differences observed between middle and distal levels of Trembler nerves. The balance of evidence from these findings and the previous morphological studies is in keeping with the suggestion that the primary lesion resides in the Schwann cell.