Glycogen-depletion method of intrafusal distribution of gamma-axons that increase sensitivity of spindle secondary endings

Abstract

1. The glycogen-depletion method was used in cat tenuissimus muscles to investigate whether the action of static gamma-axons that increase the sensitivity of spindle secondary endings to muscle length is associated with a specific pattern of distribution of these axons to intrafusal muscle fibers. 2. In each experiment, a single gamma-axon acting on a secondary ending of a precisely located spindle was repetitively stimulated, and subsequently the intrafusal muscle fibers of that spindle were examined for glycogen depletion. 3. The gamma-axons whose repetitive stimulation increased the length sensitivity of secondary endings depleted all the chain fibers in one or both poles of the spindle, with the bag fibers being inconstantly involved. The gamma-axons whose stimulation did not exert this effect produced much more restricted patterns of glycogen depletion. 4. The length sensitivities of two secondary endings belonging to the same spindle were similarly affected by a single gamma-axon, whereas a gamma-axon could increase the sensitivity of a secondary ending without altering that of the primary ending of the same spindle. 5. The action exerted by single gamma-axons on secondary endings appears related to their intrafusal distribution since enhancement of the secondary endings sensitivity was observed only when all the chain fibers of at least one spindle pole were activated. 6. If several static gamma-axons supplying a given spindle are firing together, an increase in the length sensitivity of the secondary endings of that spindle can be expected since probably all chain fibers are activated.