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Biopsies of m. triceps surae were studied in physically active students-volunteers. Flexion of the foot sole 40 minutes in duration with 30% maximum voluntary strength was performed during 8 weeks 3-4 times a week. The frequency of the moves made 60 times per minute. In the course of morphometrical study greater attention was paid on mitochondrial parameters. Mitochondrial volume density did not change, while their number as well as the volume density of lipid inclusions tend to increase. Mitochondrial number, area and volume density of inclusions in the central zone of m. triceps surae were compared (before training: number per 100 microns2--2+3; area--0,13 +/- 0,010 microns2, volume density--2.7 +/- 0.3%, after training: number--48 +/- 4, area--0,110 +/- 0,01 microns2, volume density--2,7 +/- 0,3%) with the data available in literature on another muscles of elite sportsmen. It was concluded that high mitochondrial volume density in muscles of endurance trained sportsmen may result either from mitochondrial hypertrophy or increase of their number or from either of these factors, which is likely to be the concrete reflection of specificity of the sport efficiency.

Morphometrical characteristics of the skeletal muscle fibers of the m. vastus lateralis has been presented in the skaters of a high qualification. The muscle biopsies have been obtained by means of the needle biopsy method from 5 sprinters and 10 classical all-round competitors. Longitudinal sections of the peripheral and central parts of the muscle fiber have been investigated, subdividing the fibers in accordance with certain ultrastructural criteria into two types: slow and fast. The area of mitochondria, myofibrils, lipid inclusions has been determined by means of the system of the image analysis ACM-68K (Leitz, BRD). To the defining factors in the skater muscle ultrastructure, influencing the level of sporting achievements, a high parameter of the volumetric density of the whole mitochondrial population (7.6% in the sprinters and 9.2% in the all-around competitors) and an exceptionally high parameter of the sarcoplasmic density (28.5% in the sprinters and 36% in the all-around competitors) should be ascribed. The morphometrical data of the skaters muscle fiber are compared with the muscle parameters (according to the literature data) of the m. vastus lateralis in high qualification sportsmen of other specialization and in nontrained persons.

Electron microscopical investigation of the musculus deltoideus bioptates has been performed in wrestlers with a habitual shoulder-slip (7 persons). In the same persons contralateral muscle of the healthy arm has been studied (4 persons) and state of the muscle after operative treatment of the shoulder-slip (4 persons) has been analysed. At repeated shoulder-slips signs of the muscle atrophy are noted; this is clear from destructive changes of myofibrils, appearance of a great number of necrotized fibers, outgrowth of the connective tissue. In two cases ectopic formation of the bone in the muscle tissue has been observed. Increasing number of myosatellitocytes, appearance of newly formed fibers after the operative treatment contributes to restoration of the atrophied muscles. During rehabilitation period after the operative eradication of the shoulder-slip, when the program of the restorative loading is working out, it is necessary to take into consideration the severity of the trauma and duration of the disease, in order to avoid lesions of the weakend muscles.

Ultrastructure of the fascicular zone in the cortex of the adrenals has been studied in untrained rats after a single physical loading (swimming with an additional load up to fatigue) and during restorative period (24, 48, 72 and 96 h of rest after the loading). The massive release of hormones during the prolonged physical work, as well as during the 1st and the 3d days of rest are estimated by ultrastructural changes in adrenocorticocytes. Signs of an increased permiability of the histohematic barrier in the gland are mostly manifested in 48 h after the loading: in the wall of the smallest vessels ruptures and discharge of formed elements of blood into the pericapillary space; numerous macrophages in the intercellular space phagocytaze the products of degeneration; residual bodies, fragments of decaying cells are seen in the blood capillary lumen. In 96 h of rest, in the fascicular zone of the adrenal cortex changes directed to restoration of the cholesterin depot are observed.

The experiments were carried out on 420 non-inbred male rats. Heparin was injected subcutaneously in doses of 2.5, 5 and 10 mg/kg a day. The animals were decapitated on the 1st, 5th, 10th, 30th and 60th day after the drug administration, as well as 20 and 50 days following 10-day heparin injection and 30 days after 30-day use of the drug. Changes, developed in the adrenocortical glomerular zone after a long-term heparin administration, were studied by means of light and electron microscopy. Morphological data were compared with the changes, that occurred in spontaneous diuresis and the running water- and saline-induced diuresis or natriuresis. The initial heparin-produced ultrastructural changes in the adrenocortical glomerular zone cells indicate the hormone synthesis and release activation, accompanied by a decrease in spontaneous diuresis and natriuresis and the development of high renal sensitivity to antidiuretic hormone. Morphological signs of a decrease in the glomerular zone hormone-forming cell activity are seen in the adrenals after prolonged heparin use (by the 10th day). Spontaneous diuresis proportion continuously rises but does not correlate with natriuresis. The renal response to antidiuretic hormone changes and sensitivity to adrenaline are reduced. From the 30th day the cholesterol depot tends to gradual restoration. Ultrastructural of the adrenocortical glomerular zone returns to normal quite slowly after the drug withdrawal.

An electron microscopic investigation of the skeletal muscle bioptates has been performed in 80 volunteer-sportsmen of different qualification specializing in race rowing and in skating. Common for all the sportsmen examined are those peculiarities in ultrastructural organization of the skeletal muscle fibers that demonstrate their adaptation to an increased muscle activity. Specificity of ultrastructural organization of the skeletal muscle fibers is revealed in connection with sportive specialization. Speed-force trainings in skater-sprinters produce hypertrophy of myofibrils; more often than other sportsmen they demonstrate dilatation of cisterns in the sarcoplasmic reticulum, appearance of granular inclusions in mitochondrial matrix. In skater-statyers sarcoplasm of muscle fibers sharply increases in volume. Sometimes, loading for endurance in skater-stayers produces rather essential disturbances in structure of muscle fibers up to their necrosis. In muscles of these sportsmen processes of "intracellular" regeneration are most distinctly observed.

An electron microscopic investigation of bioptates from the external vast femoral muscle in sportsmen performing cyclic activity of various power has been performed: sprinters to middle distances, short-distance skaters and rowing-sportsmen--work in the zone of submaximal power; skaters to the distance of 3,000-10,000 m and racing skiers to the distance of 5-10 km--work of great power; racing skiers to long distances--prolonged work of moderate power. When working in the zone of the submaximal power, the signs of destruction of contracting structures in the muscle fiber are poorly manifested. When the work is of greater power and of greater duration with moderate power, necrotized fibers are found in the sportsmen's muscles. In muscle fibers with sublethal lesions, increasing autophagic processes are noted. The destructive changes of various degree of manifestation, revealed in muscle fibers predetermine the programme of adaptive changes in the muscles of the sportsmen specialized in different sports.

In dogs with experimental mitral valve incompetence, by the end of the adaptation stage (2nd week) the cardiac functional reserve decreases; the decrement is correlated with the exhaustion of the reserve of catecholamine synthesis evident from the decrement of their precursors in the myocardium and adrenals as well as from the destruction of plentiful cells of the adrenal medulla, accompanied by development of necrosis, dystrophy, and disturbances of vascular permeability in the adrenal glands. In the initial period of the compensatory stage (1st month) a considerable activation of the catecholamine synthesis takes place, together with their increase in the right ventricular myocardium and in the adrenals.

An electron microscopical and histochemical investigation of bioptates obtained from the external broad femoral muscle of 74 sportsmen-skaters has been performed. Structural adaptation of the muscles to speed loadings and to endurance loadings has been analysed taking into consideration contents of muscle fibers (MF) of various type. Peculiarities in ultrastructural organization of the skeletal MF in the sprinter- and stayer-skaters, who undergo training according to a special program, are described; the character of the muscle changes is also followed in the sportsmen who undergo training according to the program that does not correspond to the contents of their MF. Lesions in the latter up to the necrotic ones are mostly found in the muscles of the stayer-skaters, as well as in the sprinters trained according to the stayer program. Presence of essential destructive alterations of the muscles in the skaters, especially in those whose contents of slow muscles do not correspond to their specialization, demonstrates, evidently, the fact that the given physical loading is not adequate to the functional or potential possibilities of the organism.

The effect of a prolonged use of heparin on the ultrastructure of the zona fasciculata and zona reticulosa of the adrenal cortex was studied in experiment. Heparin was injected subcutaneously to laboratory male rats at a daily dose of 5 mg/kg. The animals were decapitated on the 5th, 10th, 30th and 60th days after heparin administration, 20 and 50 days after 10-day use of the drug and 30 days after 30-day use. In the first days of use heparin stimulated the secretory activity of cells of the zona fasciculata and zona reticulosa of the adrenal cortex. The ultrastructure of the internal area of the zona fasciculata and zona reticulosa indicated the suppression of adrenocorticocytes during the use of heparin for 30 days. In 60-day administration of heparin the ultrastructure of adrenocorticocytes was closer to the control though in cells of the zona fasciculata the content of glycogen exceeded the normal one. In cancelling the drug the adrenal structure got back to normal rather slowly.

A study was made of the fine structure of myelinated and nonmyelinated nerve fibers in association with the supporting Schwann cells in the adrenal medulla of the dog. The postganglionic sympathetic innervation of adrenal chromaffin cells is proven indirectlining granules (50--200 nm in size) in axoplasma of non-myelinated fibers, mostly in nerve endings on chromaffin cells.