title: Stretch--induced inhibition of spontaneous EMG activity in extensor muscles of the rat caused by chronic deafferentation.
abstract: Stretching the chronically deafferented soleus muscle has recently been found to inhibit spontaneous EMG activity recorded by silicone-plate electrodes in this muscle. In order to ascertain whether this stretch-induced inhibition (SII) of EMG activity is not restricted exclusively to the soleus, a study was made of SII in the gastrocnemius muscle employing either concentric EMG needles or bipolar "fish-hook" electrodes. The results showed that SII of spontaneous EMG activity can be demonstrated in the soleus and gastrocnemius muscles (both extensor muscles) several days after dorsal rhizotomy L1-S1, employing all three modes of EMG recording in awake rats (namely, silicone-plate electrodes, concentric electrodes and bipolar "fish-hook" electrodes). It is suggested that ventral root afferents may be involved in this phenomenon.
mesh_terms: D000344:Afferent Pathways / Q000502:physiology; D000818:Animals; D004576:Electromyography; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D009121:Muscle Denervation; D009132:Muscles / Q000294:innervation / Q000502:physiology*; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D013126:Spinal Nerve Roots / Q000502:physiology