Development of muscle nerve in the teleost fish, medaka

The entire process of normal development of a muscle nerve to a muscle (middle interradial muscle) in the tail region of the medaka (Oryzias latipes) is briefly reported. The nerve was stained immunohistochemically by using anti-neurofilament protein antibodies or stained by HRP and DiI labeling methods. The muscle was stained immunohistochemically by using anti-troponin T and anti-desmin antibodies. The smallness and transparency of the medaka embryos provide us with an opportunity to examine nerve-muscle development in whole-mount specimens. Our observations suggest that prior to the appearance of the middle interradial muscle a neural pathway has established, extending from the starting point to the 'door step' of the muscle.