A cytological study of the Golgi substance of striated muscle of vertebrates

Abstract

Abstract The silver chromate method used by Cajal, Fusari, and others supporters of the ‘network’ theory, fixes the contraction bands and (M) membranes in contracted muscle and the (Z) membranes and borders of the (Q) discs in relaxed fibers. The same structures are preserved by fixation in gold chloride. Kolatchev, and Bouin solutions. Muscle tissue subjected, prior to fixation, to fat extractives: ether, chloroform, etc., and subsequently fixed by these methods has an appearance similar to control preparations. The Cajal‐Fusari ‘network’ is therefore considered to result from an impregnation of the membranes and bands; the various types of ‘nets’ described by these observers being due to fixation of fibers in different stages of contraction. The true Golgi substance of striated muscle consists of osmiophilic bodies located in the sarcoplasm in proximity to the nuclei. Cone, saucer, or crescent‐shaped osmiophilic bodies occur at the poles, and granules, rods or curved rods of similar staining material along the sides of the nuclei. The disposition of these structures varies from nucleus to nucleus. Heart muscle possesses a relatively larger amount of the substance than does skeletal muscle.