Myonuclei and satellite cells in denervated rat muscles: an electron microscopy study.

The study and description of a separated cell type have been dependent on the evolution of the electron microscope. There have been few experiments designed to induce changes in myonucleus and satellite-cell populations in vivo without physically injuring muscle. In this regard, the most practical method to experimentally alter myonucleus and satellite-cell populations is denervation.

Satellite cells and myonuclei in neonatally denervated rat muscle.

While it is well know that the percentage of stellite cells in relation to myonuclei rapidly decreases in aneurally regenerating adult muscle, the fate of satellite cells in neonatally denervated muscles has received little attention so far. In the present study, rat tibialis anterior muscles were denervated at birth and analysed after 5, 7 and 10 weeks. At least 400 myonuclei in each muscle were assessed by electron microscopy and the percentage of satellite cell nuclei in relation to the number of myonuclei was calculated.