Mitochondrial Volume Density of Schwann Cells Associated with Rat Vestibular Ganglion Cells

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to quantitate the mitochondrial volume density (MVD) within Schwann cells associated with vestibular ganglion cells in the female Wistar rat. Results show that this type of Schwann cell (SC) has a significantly higher MVD (19.4 %± 1.9) than that reported for myelinating SC of peripheral nerve (1-5%). This large difference in SC MVD may be related to the energy requirements needed to maintain the local ion homeostasis around the ganglion cells given the environmental differences created by the different barrier systems of these regions of the nervous system.

Key Words:

• mitochondria
• quantitative
• ion homeostasis.