Denervated muscle fibres in hereditary mouse dystrophy.

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Abstract
Denervated muscle fibers were found to be a common occurrence in dystrophic mouse muscles. This must be considered, therefore, as a mjaor factor contributing to muscular weakness. Histological and electrophysiological studies show that most likely the denervation occurs in the vicinity of the neuromuscular junction. Another possibility is that a necrotic segment within a fiber could cause functional denervation by interrupting the spread of electrical and trophic activity from the end plate. Morphological and electrophysiological studies indicate that denervated fibers may appear to be in good condition and dystrophic muscle, although apparently viable and containing myofibrils, may be functionally useless. It has not been established whether or not denervation occurs in human forms of dystrophy but it should be considered as a contributing factor.