Contribution of centrifugal innervation to choline acetyltransferase activity in the cat cochlear nucleus.

Using a quantitative microchemical mapping approach combined with surgical cuts of fiber tracts, the contributions of centrifugal pathways to choline acetyltransferase activity were mapped three-dimensionally in the cat cochlear nucleus. Large reductions of choline acetyltransferase activity, averaging 70%, were measured in almost all parts of the lesion-side nucleus following transection of virtually all its centrifugal connections. More superficial cuts, penetrating just through the olivocochlear bundle, also led to significant reductions of enzyme activity, especially most rostrally in the anteroventral cochlear nucleus and superficial granular region, where the reductions were similar to those following the complete cuts.

Enzymes of transmitter and energy metabolism in rat middle ear and extraocular muscles.

To further investigate the peculiar characteristics of the middle ear and extraocular muscles, compared to the extensively studied skeletal muscles of the limbs, activities of enzymes of transmitter and energy metabolism were measured in homogenates of these muscles from albino and pigmented rats. These activities were compared to those for a masticatory muscle and for three hindlimb muscles chosen for their preponderance of either slow oxidative, fast glycolytic, or fast oxidative glycolytic fibers. Activities of the neuromuscular transmitter enzymes choline acetyltransferase and acetylcholinesterase were relatively very high in the extraocular and middle ear muscles.