Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 28, 2026

Dissection of Single Skeletal Muscle Fibers for Immunofluorescent and Morphometric Analyses of Whole-Mount Neuromuscular Junctions
Published on: August 14, 2021
[Neurofilament immune fluorescence staining: a new method for observing the morphology of the motor endplate]
Yu-hui Kou1, Tian-bing Wang, Pei-xun Zhang
1Department of Trauma and Orthopeadics, Peking University People's Hospital, Beijing 100044, China.
Objective:
To investigate the effect of neurofilament (NF) immune fluorescence staining on observing morphology of the motor endplate.
Methods:
Six SPF rats were used and their bilateral soleus muscles harvested under anesthesia. Then the samples were fixed with polyphosphate formaldehyde, and made frozen sections. Finally the neurofilament immunofluorescence staining was performed. The morphology of the motor endplate was observed under fluorescence microscope and laser scanning confocal fluorescence microscope.
Results:
The claw-shape motor endplate was seen clearly under the fluorescent microscope and laser scanning confocal fluorescence microscope, and the images observed used to reconstruct the three-dimensional structure of motor endplate.
Conclusion:
Neurofilament immune fluorescence staining is a useful method for the morphology study of the motor endplate.

