Stretch receptors in urodele limb muscles

Abstract

Non-encapsulated, fine beaded nerve endings were found histologically on some muscle fibres in a number of limb muscles in newts and axolotls. They were present in newt muscles that had been chronically de-efferented, and in which no efferent activity survived, and were therefore likely to be sensory. They were located only on muscle fibres on or near the outside surface of the muscle. These small-diameter muscle fibres were characterised histochemically by low lipid, SDH and phosphorylase content; ultrastructurally by low glycogen content, and relatively large myofilaments poorly delimited by a sparse SR. There were many of this type (Type 1) that did not support sensory endings. A few endings occurred on another larger-diameter type of fibre (Type 2) whose properties were opposite to those listed above for Type 1. There was virtually no specialization of muscle fibre structure beneath the sensory endings. Physiological experiments involving ramp-and-hold and sinusoidal stretch applied to the muscle whilst recording single-unit afferent responses in m.ext. dig. III of axolotls showed unit responses very similar to those known from muscle spindles, particularly those of the frog.