Ultrastructure of diaphragm in MDX mouse

ABSTRACT

The present study examined the diaphragm of mdx mouse as a model of duchenne muscular dystrophy. ScSn strain of mice were used as control for mdx. The diaphragm of mdx showed two processes; the first was degeneration process in the form of foci of degeneration. The degenerating fibres were very common and incompletely surrounded by sarcolemma or external lamina. The cytoplasm of these muscle fibres are often widely spaced and characterized by loss of thick filaments, thin filaments and full of mitochondriae. Sometimes, disoriented myofibrils and dilated profile of sarcotubular system can be seen. The second was regenerating process where the regenerating fibres were judged by small calibres. The regenerating fibres were very rare