Structural and functional analysis of murine skeletal muscle after castration.

A previous histochemical and morphometric study demonstrated that castration caused a significant decrease in myofiber and muscle size in the extensor digitorum longus (EDL) muscles of male ReJ 129 mice. The objective of the present study was to examine the effects of castration on the morphology and physiology of the EDL. Muscle wet weight was significantly decreased in the castrated group. The morphological survey demonstrated a significant degree of degeneration in the EDL muscles from castrated animals, consisting of disruption of normal myofilament arrangement and necrosis, invasion of active macrophages, and atrophic myofibers. These findings were significantly correlated with the decrease in peak tension observed in the castrated groups. No significant difference was detected in the time to peak tension and half-relaxation time in the castrated groups compared with the control. Thus, alterations of the morphological integrity and myofiber size of skeletal muscle affect muscle strength in castrated animals.