Continuous growth of the motor system in the axolotl
- King's College, London (England)
During growth of the axolotl, motor neurons, and muscle fibres are added to the motor system. By double labelling neurons with tritiated thymidine and retrogradely transported HRP, we show that some motor neurons are born at postembryonic stages. Further analysis of motor neurons with the aid of HRP reveals this population of newly born cells relatively frequently in small (5-7 cm long) axolotls, but only rarely in large (7-13 cm long) axolotls. Evidence is presented that suggests that these immature cells are in the process of migrating from close to the ependyma out to the ventral horn. HRP transport also reveals growth cones of advancing axons within spinal nerves in animals up to 6 cm in length. Cell counts by light and electron microscopic methods show that muscle fibres are generated throughout larval life in the iliotibialis, a typical limb muscle. This analysis provides data consistent with the notion that new muscle fibres are added from a localised growth zone situated at the superficial edge of the muscle. These results are discussed in terms of the correlation between continuous growth of the motor system and the ability of the axolotl to functionally repair lesions to the peripheral nervous system.
- OSTI ID:
- 5799050
- Journal Information:
- Journal of Comparative Neurology; (USA), Vol. 303:4; ISSN 0021-9967
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
NERVE CELLS
BIOLOGICAL REGENERATION
SALAMANDERS
BIOLOGICAL REPAIR
DOUBLE LABELLING
MUSCLES
SPINAL CORD
THYMIDINE
TRACER TECHNIQUES
TRITIUM COMPOUNDS
AMPHIBIANS
ANIMAL CELLS
ANIMALS
AQUATIC ORGANISMS
AZINES
BIOLOGICAL RECOVERY
CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM
HETEROCYCLIC COMPOUNDS
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
ISOTOPE APPLICATIONS
LABELLING
NERVOUS SYSTEM
NUCLEOSIDES
NUCLEOTIDES
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC NITROGEN COMPOUNDS
PYRIMIDINES
RECOVERY
REPAIR
RIBOSIDES
SOMATIC CELLS
VERTEBRATES
551001* - Physiological Systems- Tracer Techniques