Effect of prolonged physical training on the histochemically demonstrable catecholamines in the sympathetic neurons, the adrenal gland and extra-adrenal catecholamine storing cells of the rat

The effect of daily physical training for 24 months on the sympathetic neurons, adrenal gland, extra-adrenal catecholamine storing cells and on the heart was investigated in rats. The tissue catecholamine fluorescence intensity was determined by microfluorimetric quantitation of catecholamines. The maximal and final body weights were significantly lower in trained animals. The trained rats showed prominent increase of heart weight relative to body weight, while the adrenals did not enlarge. The adrenergic nerve fiber density of the heart and the fluorescence intensity of the terminal axons were significantly increased. There were no changes in the fluorescence intensity of the perikarya of the sympathetic neurons and the amount of extra-adrenal catecholamine storing cells after physical exercise. The volume of the superior cervical ganglion was doubled and the neuronal perikarya were enlarged in trained animals. The prolonged physical training throughout the life span of the rat gave new information about the reactions of the sympathetic nervous system to physical exercise.