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The neuromuscular junction in the African elephant Loxodonta africana and African buffalo Syncerus caffer

1995; Volume: 25; Issue: 1 Linguagem: Inglês

2410-8200

Beverley Kramer, J. Hattingh, Maria Teixeira, David Wolf, Jacobus P. Raath,

Coccidia and coccidiosis research

Differences in the physiological response to the drug succinyldicholine occur between the African elephant Loxodonta africana and African buffalo Syncerus caffer, irrespective of the route of administration of the drug. The response in elephants has suggested the presence of unique acetylcholine receptors in their respiratory muscles, In this paper the first observations of the neuromuscular junction in the African elephant and African buffalo are reported. While the basic structure of the junction was found to be typically mammalian in both species, differences were found in the morphology of the postjunctional area where these receptors reside. Elucidation of the structure and function of this junction in these animals is important in the selection of drugs that act as neuromuscular blockers. Ongeag die toedieningsroete is daar verskille in fisiologiese reaksies teenoor suksiniel-dikolien tussen die Afrika-olifant Loxodonta africana en die Afrika-buffel Syncerus caffer. Die reaksies in olifante dui op die bestaan van eensoortige asetiel-cholienreseptore op hul asemhalingspiere. Hierdie artikel handel oor die eerste waarnemings van die senuspieraansluitings van die Afrika-olifant en Afrika-buffel. Hoewel die basiese soogdierstruktuur by beide spesies gevind is, was daar morfologiese verskille in die post-aansluitingsareas waar bogenoemde reseptore gevind word. Uitklaring van die struktuur en funksie van die aansluiting in hierdie diere is van belang in die keuse van senuspierblokkeerders.