Succinate dehydrogenase activity and soma size relationships among cat dorsal root ganglion neurons

A large range in succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) activity and soma size among neurons in the dorsal root ganglion (DRG) and the dorsolateral region of the ventral horn (DLVH) at spinal cord level L7 was observed. Mean soma sizes were similar for the two populations. DLVH, but not DRG, neurons showed an inverse relationship between SDH activity and soma size. DRG neurons had a higher mean SDH activity than DLVH neurons, reflecting the observation that there was a population of DRG neurons with a higher oxidative capacity than DLVH neurons.