Effect of castration and testosterone administration on the neuromuscular junction in the levator ani muscle of the rat. 1978

V Hanzlíková, and E Gutmann

The ultrastructure of the neuromuscular junction (n.m.j.) of the androgen-sensitive levator ani muscle was studied in normal adult male rats, in 8-month-old rats castrated at the age of one month and in castrated rats treated with testosterone propionate (TP). Castration does not result in significant changes of the n.m.j. The density of synaptic vesicles and the postsynaptic junctional folds remain practically normal inspite of marked atrophy of the muscle. TP administration for 7 days results in marked changes in pre- and postsynaptic structures. There is slow progressive depletion of synaptic vesicles, appearance of cisternae and coated vesicles in axon terminals, and coalescence of coated vesicles with the plasma membrane. Coated vesicles are also found inside Schwann cells and among junctional folds. Dense core vesicles appear both in the axon terminals and in the postsynaptic area. Collateral sprouting of terminal axons with the formation of new immature junctions is observed. After 35 days of TP administration depletion of synaptic vesicles continues. Glycogen beta-particles, mostly freely dispersed, occasionally seen in axon terminals 7 days after TP administration, subsequently increase in number. In the endplate zone of the muscle fibre increased protein synthesis is indicated by a rapid increase in ribosomes and irregularly located myofilaments and myofibrils. The appearance of n.m.j. after testosterone administration resembles that described after nerve stimulation; the degree of change is however less pronounced.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008297 Male Males
D009132 Muscles Contractile tissue that produces movement in animals. Muscle Tissue,Muscle,Muscle Tissues,Tissue, Muscle,Tissues, Muscle
D009469 Neuromuscular Junction The synapse between a neuron and a muscle. Myoneural Junction,Nerve-Muscle Preparation,Junction, Myoneural,Junction, Neuromuscular,Junctions, Myoneural,Junctions, Neuromuscular,Myoneural Junctions,Nerve Muscle Preparation,Nerve-Muscle Preparations,Neuromuscular Junctions,Preparation, Nerve-Muscle,Preparations, Nerve-Muscle
D010502 Perineum The body region lying between the genital area and the ANUS on the surface of the trunk, and to the shallow compartment lying deep to this area that is inferior to the PELVIC DIAPHRAGM. The surface area is between the VULVA and the anus in the female, and between the SCROTUM and the anus in the male. Perineums
D002369 Castration Surgical removal or artificial destruction of gonads. Gonadectomy,Castrations,Gonadectomies
D006003 Glycogen
D000818 Animals Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA. Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D013572 Synaptic Vesicles Membrane-bound compartments which contain transmitter molecules. Synaptic vesicles are concentrated at presynaptic terminals. They actively sequester transmitter molecules from the cytoplasm. In at least some synapses, transmitter release occurs by fusion of these vesicles with the presynaptic membrane, followed by exocytosis of their contents. Synaptic Vesicle,Vesicle, Synaptic,Vesicles, Synaptic
D013739 Testosterone A potent androgenic steroid and major product secreted by the LEYDIG CELLS of the TESTIS. Its production is stimulated by LUTEINIZING HORMONE from the PITUITARY GLAND. In turn, testosterone exerts feedback control of the pituitary LH and FSH secretion. Depending on the tissues, testosterone can be further converted to DIHYDROTESTOSTERONE or ESTRADIOL. 17-beta-Hydroxy-4-Androsten-3-one,17-beta-Hydroxy-8 alpha-4-Androsten-3-one,8-Isotestosterone,AndroGel,Androderm,Andropatch,Androtop,Histerone,Sterotate,Sustanon,Testim,Testoderm,Testolin,Testopel,Testosterone Sulfate,17 beta Hydroxy 4 Androsten 3 one,17 beta Hydroxy 8 alpha 4 Androsten 3 one,8 Isotestosterone
D051381 Rats The common name for the genus Rattus. Rattus,Rats, Laboratory,Rats, Norway,Rattus norvegicus,Laboratory Rat,Laboratory Rats,Norway Rat,Norway Rats,Rat,Rat, Laboratory,Rat, Norway,norvegicus, Rattus

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