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Gap junctions between lateral spinal motoneurons in the rat.
A Matsumoto1, A P Arnold, P E Micevych
1Department of Anatomy, University of California, Los Angeles 90024.
Brain Research
|August 28, 1989
Summary
Ultrastructural analysis identified gap junctions between motoneurons in the rat dorsolateral nucleus (DLN). Androgen levels did not significantly alter these neuronal connections in this motor nucleus.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cell Biology
- Endocrinology
Background:
- The dorsolateral nucleus (DLN) is an androgen-sensitive motor nucleus in the rat lumbar spinal cord.
- It contains motoneurons that innervate the ischiocavernosus muscle and urethral sphincter.
- Gap junctions are crucial for direct cell-to-cell communication.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the presence and characteristics of gap junctions between motoneurons in the rat DLN.
- To determine the effect of castration and androgen treatment on DLN motoneuron gap junctions.
Main Methods:
- Ultrastructural examination using electron microscopy was performed on rat spinal cord tissue.
- Morphometric analysis was used to quantify the size and frequency of gap junctional plaques.
- Experimental groups included control, castrated, and androgen-treated rats.
Main Results:
- Gap junctional plaques were observed between DLN motoneurons, located on somatic and proximal dendritic membranes, as well as between bundled dendrites.
- Neither castration nor androgen supplementation significantly affected the size or frequency of these gap junctions.
Conclusions:
- Motoneurons in the androgen-sensitive DLN form gap junctions.
- The formation and prevalence of these gap junctions are not significantly modulated by androgen levels in adult rats.