Variation of mitochondrial volume fraction along multiply innervated fibers in rabbit extraocular muscle

Mitochondrial volume fraction was compared among three regions along the length of six multiply innervated fibers (MIFs) in the orbital surface layer of rabbit superior rectus. These MIFs are of about 5 μm diameter toward the middle of their length, and of about 15 μm diameter toward their proximal and distal ends. The region of highest volume fraction (26%) was located toward the proximal end of their segment of minimal diameter, in apparent association with endplate-like nerve junctions. The region of lowest volume fraction (8%) was located at their distal segment of maximal diameter. The region toward the distal end of their segment of minimal diameter displayed an intermediate volume fraction (15%). These mitochondrial volume fractions were further analyzed in terms of the relative contributions of the I-band, the A-band, and the subsarcolemmal mitochondrial clusters. Comparable changes in mitochondrial content occur in both the I-band and A-band: in the fibers' distal segment of maximal diameter, however, the mitochondrial volume fraction in the A-band (5%) is lower than in the I-band (11%). These modifications of mitochondrial content along the fibers' length occur irrespective of the contributions of the subsarcolemmal mitochondrial clusters.