Morphology of stable muscle grafts of rats: effects of gender and muscle type.

Our purpose was to quantify morphological characteristics of extensor digitorum longus (EDL) and soleus (SOL) muscle grafts in female (N = 8) and male (N = 8) rats. Muscles were grafted orthotopically, with the nerve remaining intact, and were studied 56 days later. The mass of EDL and SOL grafts and control muscles of females was 60% to 65% of male values; this difference was directly related to gender differences in body mass. The fiber composition of EDL and SOL grafts did not differ from control, and no gender effects were noted. The mean fiber area (MFA) of control EDL and SOL muscles of females averaged 65% of male values. The MFA of grafts did not differ due to gender, and averaged 60% of control value for SOL and 70% for EDL grafts. We conclude there are no substantial differences in the regenerative capacity of EDL and SOL muscles grafted with the nerve intact.