Soma diameter and oxidative enzyme activity of identified alpha-motoneurons: application of a retrograde fluorescent neuronal tracer.
Using a fluorescent compound as a retrograde neuronal tracer for the identification of a specific motoneuron pool, we examined the soma diameter and oxidative enzyme activity of alpha-motoneurons innervating the extensor digitorum longus (EDL) and the soleus (Sol) muscles in the rat. An inverse relationship between soma diameter and oxidative enzyme activity was demonstrated in the EDL, while there was no significant relationship between these variables in the Sol. These results suggest that an inverse relationship between soma diameter and oxidative enzyme activity cannot always be demonstrated in all of the motoneuron pools.
Miyata
H
H
Laboratory of Biomechanics and Physiology, Faculty of Liberal Arts, Yamaguchi University, Japan.
Kawai
Y
Y
D000818:Animals; D008058:Dihydrolipoamide Dehydrogenase / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D008856:Microscopy, Fluorescence; D009046:Motor Neurons / Q000166:cytology* / Q000201:enzymology; D009132:Muscles / Q000166:cytology / Q000294:innervation*; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains
D008058:Dihydrolipoamide Dehydrogenase