Fast-conducting skeletofusimotor axons supplying intrafusal chain fibers in the cat peroneus tertius muscle

Abstract

1. In six experiments on cat peroneus tertius muscle, from 12 to 23 motor axons with conduction velocities above 85 m/s were repetitively stimulated so as to produce glycogen depletion in the muscle fibers they innervated. 2. The whole muscle was then quick-frozen, serially cut, stained to demonstrate glycogen, and examined for intrafusal glycogen depletion. 3. Zones of glycogen depletion were found in 27 of the 99 examined spindles: they were almost invariably located on chain fibers and specifically on the longest of the chain fibers in affected spindles. 4. Since it was shown that there are no purely fusimotor fast axons in the motor supply to peroneus tertius, it is concluded that skeletofusimotor axons are present among the fastest motor axons to this muscle.