Mitochondrial density in neurons of the dorsolateral region of the ventral horn at the L5 spinal cord segment in rats was examined using electron microscopy. The gamma motoneurons had a higher density of mitochondria (25.1 ± 4.2%, n = 19) in the cytoplasm compared to the alpha motoneurons which had a mitochondrial density of 19.4 ± 4.5% (n = 38). An inverse relationship between cell body size and mitochondrial density was found for alpha (n = 38) and alpha plus gamma (n = 57), but not for gamma (n = 19), motoneuron populations. The higher densities of mitochondria in the smaller neurons correspond well with their metabolic properties since the smaller neurons have the highest oxidative enzyme activities.

Keywords:
Ventral horn neuron, Mitochondrion, Electron microscopy, Rat
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© 1997 S. Karger AG, Basel
1997
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