Observations on the morphology of intracellularly stained gamma-motoneurons in relation to their axon conduction velocity

Neurosci Lett. 1979 Jun;13(1):47-50. doi: 10.1016/0304-3940(79)90073-9.

Abstract

Hindlimb gamma-motoneurons of adult cats were stained intracellularly with horseradish peroxidase. The gamma-motor-axons had intramedullary diameters between 2.0 micron and 2.4 micron and lacked recurrent collaterals. The conduction velocity of the gamma-motor-axons (20-29 m/sec) was close to what could be predicted from the relationship between conduction velocity and intramedullary diameter of much thicker adult alpha-motor-axons. However, the gamma-motor-axons were conducting much faster than alpha-motor-axons of 1-week-old kittens in spite of the fact that these two types of axons had about the same dimensions intramedullarly.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Age Factors
  • Animals
  • Cats
  • Horseradish Peroxidase
  • Motor Neurons / cytology*
  • Motor Neurons / physiology
  • Motor Neurons, Gamma / cytology*
  • Motor Neurons, Gamma / physiology
  • Neural Conduction
  • Staining and Labeling
  • Time Factors

Substances

  • Horseradish Peroxidase