Intracellular recordings from embryonic chick motoneurones in the isolated perfused spinal cord.
Potentials of 13- to 18-day chick embryo motoneurones were recorded intracellularly. Action potentials could be evoked by antidromic or direct stimulation of the cells, but the amplitudes were relatively low (less than 40-45 mV) and no overshoot or marked afterpotentials were observed. Pronounced evoked and spontaneous postsynaptic potentials were observed. Both irregular miniature and bursting high-voltage spontaneous postsynaptic depolarizations were present. The association of spontaneous action potentials with the latter type of spontaneous synaptic activity suggests its possible involvement in mechanisms of spontaneous embryonic motility.
D000818:Animals; D002642:Chick Embryo; D046508:Culture Techniques; D004558:Electric Stimulation; D005071:Evoked Potentials; D009046:Motor Neurons / Q000502:physiology*; D012584:Sciatic Nerve / Q000502:physiology; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000502:physiology*; D013569:Synapses / Q000502:physiology; D009435:Synaptic Transmission