Muscle and tendon size relationships in a paralyzed chick embryo model of clubfoot

J Pediatr Orthop. 1998 May-Jun;18(3):314-8.

Abstract

Clubfoot is a birth defect that may be related to muscle weakness or imbalance. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationships among muscle and tendon size and embryonic motility in a paralyzed chick embryo model of clubfoot and arthrogryposis. Decamethonium bromide, a neuromuscular blocking agent, was administered to a series of embryos in five dosage groups, producing a cohort of embryos with various degrees of paralysis and atrophy of tendons and muscle. Embryonic movement frequency was monitored, and after death in late gestation, the cross-sectional areas of the calf musculature and the gastrocnemius tendon proximal to the ankle were measured histologically. Significant correlations were found between embryonic motility and both muscle (r2 = 0.52) and tendon (r2 = 0.77) areas. In addition, a significant correlation (r2 = 0.74) was found between muscle and tendon areas, suggesting that a measurement of one may be used to predict the other.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Chick Embryo
  • Clubfoot / etiology*
  • Decamethonium Compounds / administration & dosage
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Hindlimb / pathology*
  • Movement
  • Muscle, Skeletal / pathology*
  • Muscular Atrophy / etiology
  • Muscular Atrophy / pathology*
  • Muscular Atrophy / physiopathology
  • Neuromuscular Blocking Agents / administration & dosage
  • Paralysis / chemically induced
  • Paralysis / pathology*
  • Paralysis / physiopathology
  • Tendons / pathology*

Substances

  • Decamethonium Compounds
  • Neuromuscular Blocking Agents
  • decamethonium