Electron Microscopy of Clam Myocardium Under Normal and Experimental Conditions

Abstract

The effect of 2,4-dinitronhenol (DNP) on the fine structure of the myocardium of several vertebrates has been reported by DiDio. We have studied the effects of DNP and lowered oxygen tension on the myocardium of a fresh water clam, an invertebrate.The clam, Amblema plicata (Say, 1817), was used in this investigation. All specimens were maintained in stream water saturated with oxygen unless otherwise noted. Control and experimental animals were opened and the still-beating heart fixed in cold, buffered 1.2% osmium tetroxide. Small blocks of ventricle were dehydrated through an ethanol series, equilibrated in propylene oxide, and embedded in Araldite.