The effects of post-mortem changes and calcium depletion on the ultrastructure of myocardial cells in a teleost
Leknes, I.L.
Anatomischer Anzeiger 157(3): 221-225
1984
ISSN/ISBN: 0003-2786 PMID: 6542327 Document Number: 228262
The effects of post-mortem changes and calcium depletion on the ultrastructure of myocardial cells in a teleost, Gadus virens L., are described. When incubated at 4 degrees C in cacodylate buffer/Ringer's solution for 8 h some few myocardial cells appear swollen and their mitochondria contain several small (50-250 nm) flocculent densities. In tissue incubated for at least 80 h the mitochondria in all myocardial cells contain a number of such densities. Also, the size of these structures seems to increase with incubation time. Further, after being incubated for at least 150 h the myofibrils appear often twisted and broken, and the electron density of the Z and I bands gradually declines. At prolonged incubation times (about 1,000-1,300 h) the actin filaments and Z band material seem gradually to dissolve, whereas the myosin filaments still make up a distinct A band. Intercalated discs in tissue incubated in calcium-free medium for 4-28 h appear to display a nearly normal structure. The results of the present study are compared with those previously reported for mammals. The observed differences in decomposition rates within teleostean myocardial tissue are discussed.