[Hereditary demyelination in mutant quaking mice (breeding and light microscopy)].

Data on breeding of mutant Quaking mice (MQM) and the results of light microscopy and morphometric examination of the central and peripheral nervous systems in them and in control mice varying in ages from 12 days to 4 months are presented. MQM were shown to have a decreased total volume of the white matter due to underdevelopment of myelin because of disturbed function of myelin-forming cells (oligodendrocytes). At the same time oligodendrocytes retain their capacity for proliferation and are normally located interfascicularly in the white matter having the same density of occurrence and the same average volume of the nucleus as in controls, but morphologically they are similar to oligodendroblasts. Another morphological feature of MQM consists of intensive vacuolation of their gray and white matter. However, light microscopy could not determine whether the vacuoles 1 to 9 microns in diameter were located intra- or extracellularly. No pathological changes in neurocytes, astrocytes or capillaries were observed.