Synapses on motoneuron dendrites in the brachial section of the frog spinal cord: a computer-aided electron microscopic study of cobalt-filled cells

Somato-dendritic morphology and dendritic signal transfer properties differentiate between fore- and hindlimb innervating motoneurons in the frog Rana esculenta

Background

The location specific motor pattern generation properties of the spinal cord along its rostro-caudal axis have been demonstrated. However, it is still unclear that these differences are due to the different spinal interneuronal networks underlying locomotions or there are also segmental differences in motoneurons innervating different limbs. Frogs use their fore- and hindlimbs differently during jumping and swimming. Therefore we hypothesized that limb innervating motoneurons, located in the cervical and lumbar spinal cord, are different in their morphology and dendritic signal transfer properties. The test of this hypothesis what we report here.

Results

Discriminant analysis classified segmental origin of the intracellularly labeled and three-dimensionally reconstructed motoneurons 100% correctly based on twelve morphological variables. Somata of lumbar motoneurons were rounder; the dendrites had bigger total length, more branches with higher branching orders and different spatial distributions of branch points. The ventro-medial extent of cervical dendrites was bigger than in lumbar motoneurons. Computational models of the motoneurons showed that dendritic signal transfer properties were also different in the two groups of motoneurons. Whether log attenuations were higher or lower in cervical than in lumbar motoneurons depended on the proximity of dendritic input to the soma. To investigate dendritic voltage and current transfer properties imposed by dendritic architecture rather than by neuronal size we used standardized distributions of transfer variables. We introduced a novel combination of cluster analysis and homogeneity indexes to quantify segmental segregation tendencies of motoneurons based on their dendritic transfer properties. A segregation tendency of cervical and lumbar motoneurons was detected by the rates of steady-state and transient voltage-amplitude transfers from dendrites to soma at all levels of synaptic background activities, modeled by varying the specific dendritic membrane resistance. On the other hand no segregation was observed by the steady-state current transfer except under high background activity.

Conclusions

We found size-dependent and size-independent differences in morphology and electrical structure of the limb moving motoneurons based on their spinal segmental location in frogs. Location specificity of locomotor networks is therefore partly due to segmental differences in motoneurons driving fore-, and hindlimbs.

Numbers, densities, and colocalization of AMPA- and NMDA-type glutamate receptors at individual synapses in the superficial spinal dorsal horn of rats

Ionotropic glutamate receptors play important roles in spinal processing of nociceptive sensory signals and induction of central sensitization in chronic pain. Here we applied highly sensitive freeze-fracture replica labeling to laminae I-II of the spinal dorsal horn of rats and investigated the numbers, densities, and colocalization of AMPA- and NMDA-type glutamate receptors at individual postsynaptic membrane specializations with a high resolution. All glutamatergic postsynaptic membranes in laminae I-II expressed AMPA receptors, and most of them (96%) were also immunoreactive for the NR1 subunit of NMDA receptors. The numbers of gold particles for AMPA and NMDA receptors at individual postsynaptic membranes showed a linear correlation with the size of postsynaptic membrane specializations and varied in the range of 8-214 and 5-232 with median values of 37 and 28, whereas their densities varied in the range of 325-3365/microm(2) and 102-2263/microm(2) with median values of 1115/microm(2) and 777/microm(2), respectively. Virtually all (99%) glutamatergic postsynaptic membranes expressed GluR2, and most of them (87%) were also immunoreactive for GluR1. The numbers of gold particles for pan-AMPA, NR1, and GluR2 subunits showed a linear correlation with the size of postsynaptic surface areas. Concerning GluR1, there may be two populations of synapses with high and low GluR1 densities. In synapses larger than 0.1 microm(2), GluR1 subunits were recovered in very low numbers. Differential expression of GluR1 and GluR2 subunits suggests regulation of AMPA receptor subunit composition by presynaptic mechanism.

Structural and physiological properties of connections between individual reticulospinal axons and lumbar motoneurons of the frog

Although the direct, monosynaptic influence of brainstem projections onto motoneurons is well-known, detailed morphological studies on the synaptic contact systems and a correlation with their functional properties are largely lacking. In this work, 43 pairs, each formed by a reticulospinal fiber contacting a lumbar motoneuron, were identified and studied electrophysiologically. Four of these were successfully labeled intracellularly with horseradish peroxidase (HRP) or neurobiotin and reconstructed using a computer-assisted camera lucida with high resolution. The mean amplitude of excitatory post-synaptic potentials (EPSPs) recorded in these four pairs varied from 100 to 730 microV, spanning most of the range obtained for all pairs (70-1,200 microV; mean +/- SD: 400 +/- 250 microV). Between two and four collaterals of reticulospinal axons established 4-19 close appositions with a labeled motoneuron. Mean distance from the origin of each collateral to any bouton on that collateral was 566-817 microm. A presynaptic action potential must pass 11 branch points on average to reach it. Similarly, the boutons presumably contacting motoneurons were on average 558-624 microm (9-11 branch points) from the origin of the collateral. The distributions of diameters of all boutons and those making putative contacts with stained motoneurons were very similar. The dendritic surface of stained motoneurons was symmetrically distributed along the rostrocaudal axis with more than half the surface being more than 500 microm from the soma. However, the contacts from reticulospinal axons were concentrated ventromedially, 262-356 microm (range of average values for four connections) from the motoneuron soma, in some instances on very proximal dendritic segments. Thus, the location and size of putative contacts in relation to axonal collaterals was not distinguishable from location and size of other boutons, but they occupied specific positions on dendrites of lumbar motoneurons. The number of contacts formed by a reticulospinal axon on a motoneuron in a particular location could be described as the product of the available dendritic surface and the total number of presynaptic boutons in this region. Compartmental models of the reconstructed motoneurons were created, and currents with the time course of an alpha function were injected at the sites of these putative contacts. Despite the restricted volume occupied by contacts from a single fiber, a high variability of their contributions to somatic EPSPs owing to electrotonic attenuation was shown: The coefficient of variation of quantal responses was estimated to be between 60% and 120%, comparable to the variability of the path distance between contacts and soma (50-90%).

Motoneurons of the axial swimming muscles in hatchling Xenopus tadpoles: features, distribution, and central synapses

Xenopus tadpole motoneurons make cholinergic synapses within the spinal cord. This excitation changes with longitudinal position and contributes to the excitation that controls motor activity and its longitudinal spread during swimming. To explore the anatomic constraints on this excitation, backfilling has been used to examine the anatomy and distribution of the whole population of spinal motoneurons, to define the extent of their central axons and to find where they make synapses. Motoneuron features show considerable variation but do not allow their separation into primary and secondary. Most motoneurons have descending central axons and it is likely that central synapses are made from these axons as longitudinal dendritic extent is very limited. Motoneuron density reaches a broad plateau over the mid-trunk region at 12-13 per 100 microm. Soma size does not change with longitudinal position, but the dorsoventral extent of the dendrites decreases caudally, whereas the central axon length increases. Motoneuron distribution data were used to estimate the longitudinal distribution of central motoneuron axons. This has a broad plateau at 12-14 per 100 microm over much of the trunk and only decreases significantly caudal to the anus. This distribution correlates with cholinergic excitation during swimming. Transmission electron microscopy of motoneurons backfilled with horseradish peroxidase was used to show that central motoneuron axons make en passant synapses with motoneuron dendrites and the dendrites of other unstained neurons. By using measures of synapse frequency and total dendrite length, trunk motoneurons are estimated to each receive 100-200 synapses.

Changes in the synaptology of spinal motoneurons in zebrafish following spinal cord transection

Effects of spinal cord transection on the synaptology of zebrafish spinal motoneurons were studied. The transection was made at the level of the 14th vertebra and the synaptology of motoneuron somata and dendrites was analysed at the level of the 21st to the 23rd vertebrae at one month and three months after transection. Horseradish peroxidase, applied to the myotomal muscle, was used to label motoneuron somata and dendritic branches in central and in lateral areas of the neuropil (referred to as central and lateral dendritic profiles). Boutons impinging on motoneurons were classified according to the morphology of the vesicles. We discerned R-boutons with spherical vesicles, F-boutons with flat vesicles and DC-boutons with at least one dense core vesicle. The apposition lengths of R-, F- and DC-boutons and the circumference of labelled profiles were determined to assess the proportional covering of boutons on somata and dendrites. Ratio's of covering with R- and F-boutons (R/F ratio) for somata, central and lateral dendritic profiles were 1.1, 2.1, and 2.1 in control fish and 0.5, 0.5 and 0.9 in lesioned fish at one month after transection, respectively. The total covering of motoneurons in lesioned fish was decreased by 20% on somata and by 30% on lateral dendritic profiles, whereas central dendritic profiles did not change significantly. At three months after transection the R/F ratio's for somata, central and lateral dendritic profiles were 0.5, 0.7 and 0.6, respectively. The total covering on somata and central and lateral dendritic profiles was at control levels. The anatomical aspects of the changes in synaptology indicate that in control fish 50 to 60% of the R-boutons on the motoneuron surface originate from descending axons. In contrast, almost all F-boutons seem to be from local origin.

Identification of gamma-aminobutyric acid-immunoreactive axon endings associated with mesencephalic periodontal afferent terminals and morphometry of the two types of terminals in the cat supratrigeminal nucleus

A previous study has shown that mesencephalic periodontal afferent terminals receive contacts more frequently from axonal endings containing pleomorphic, synaptic vesicles (P-endings) in the supratrigeminal nucleus (Vsup) than in the trigeminal motor nucleus, suggesting that interneurons in Vsup play an important role in modulating the jaw-closing reflex. The present study was attempted to identify neurotransmitters in P-endings associated with mesencephalic periodontal afferents in cat Vsup through the use of intracellular staining of horseradish peroxidase combined with the postembedding immunogold methods. A morphometric analysis was carried out to compare the ultrastructural features of these two types of terminals. Serial sections of 31 labeled boutons and of their associated 38 P-endings were examined. They were processed for postembedding immunogold labeling with antibodies to the neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). The 38 P-endings presynaptic to periodontal afferents showed GABA-like immunoreactivity, but the afferent terminals were free from the labeling. The morphometric analysis indicated that bouton volume, apposed surface area, total active zone size, and mitochondrial volume were smaller in GABA-immunoreactive P-endings than in periodontal afferents, but the pooled data of the two types of terminals showed that each synaptic parameter was highly correlated in a positive, linear manner with bouton volume. These observations provide evidence that P-endings presynaptic to mesencephalic periodontal afferents contain the neurotransmitter GABA and that their axoaxonic synapses are organized in accordance with the ultrastructural "size principle" proposed by Pierce and Mendell (Pierce and Mendell [1993] J. Neurosci. 13:4748-4763) on Ia-motoneuron synapses.

Ultrastructural observations of synaptic connections of vibrissa afferent terminals in cat principal sensory nucleus and morphometry of related synaptic elements

Previous work suggests that slowly adapting (SA) periodontal afferents have different synaptic arrangements in the principal (Vp) and oral trigeminal nuclei and that the synaptic structure associated with transmitter release may be related directly to bouton size. The present study examined the ultrastructures of SA and fast adapting (FA) vibrissa afferents and their associated unlabeled axonal endings in the cat Vp by using intra-axonal labeling with horseradish peroxidase and a morphometric analysis. All SA and FA afferent boutons contained clear, round, synaptic vesicles. All the FA and most SA boutons were presynaptic to dendrites, but a few SA boutons were axosomatic. Both types of bouton were frequently postsynaptic to unlabeled axonal ending(s) containing pleomorphic, synaptic vesicles (P-ending). The size of labeled boutons was larger in FA than SA afferents, but the size of dendrites postsynaptic to labeled boutons was larger for SA than FA afferents. Large-sized FA and SA boutons made synaptic contacts with small-diameter dendrites. The size of FA and SA boutons was larger than that of their associated P-endings. A morphometric analysis made on the pooled data of SA and FA boutons indicated that apposed surface area, active zone number, total active zone area, vesicle number, and mitochondrial volume were highly correlated in a positive linear manner with labeled bouton volume. These relationships were also applicable to unlabeled P-endings, but the range of each parameter was smaller than that of the labeled boutons. These observations provide evidence that the two functionally distinct types of vibrissa afferent manifest unique differences but share certain structural features in the synaptic organization and that the ultrastructural "size principle" proposed by Pierce and Mendell ([1993] J. Neurosci. 13:4748-4763) for Ia-motoneuron synapses is applicable to the somatosensory system.

Investigation of the dendritic geometry of brain stem motoneurons with different functions using multivariant statistical techniques in the frog

We give an account of an effort to make quantitative morphological distinctions between motoneurons innervating functionally different muscles in the trigeminal and facial motor nuclei of the frog. Six groups of neurons were considered in the two nuclei on the basis of their peripheral targets. One group consisted of neurons (n = 7) innervating the levator bulbi muscle, which separates the orbital cavity from the oral cavity. In the second, third and fourth groups, motoneurons (n = 27) innervating jaw closer muscles (temporalis, masseter, pterygoideus) were studied. Neurons (n = 6) innervating the submaxillary muscle comprised the fifth group. This muscle forms the muscular floor of the mouth. It is active in deglutition and contributes to the opening of the mouth. The sixth group is formed by neurons of the facial nucleus (n = 7), which innervate the depressor mandibulae muscle. This is the main opener of the mouth. Neurons were selectively stained by cobalt labelling through the muscle nerves and the morphometric values of successfully labelled neurons were fed into a IBM AT 386 computer through a digitizing tablet for three-dimensional reconstruction. Four neurons labelled directly through the motor root of the trigeminal nerve but innervating unidentified muscles were added to the investigation. Two sets of quantitative measurements were taken from the neurons. In the first set (neurometric data), 17 quantitative variables were measured in the perikaryon and the dendritic arbor. In the second set, 15 variables concerned with the orientation and shape of the dendritic tree, the relation of the perikaryon to the dendritic tree and the spatial expansion of dendrites were measured in the three dimensions of Cartesian space (product-moment data). The data were subjected to multivariant statistical analysis. First, they were partitioned with cluster analysis. The average linkage between groups algorithm and the cosine of vectors of variables, or the Pearson correlation similarity coefficients were used. Neurometric data and product-moment data were analysed separately and in combination, and six to seven clusters were considered. In each case, the majority of neurons innervating jaw closer muscles were grouped into clusters different from neurons innervating jaw opener muscles. The best separation of functionally different neurons was achieved with the neurometric data set. The groups of neurons obtained from cluster analysis were subjected to non-parametric discriminant analysis with the eight nearest-neighbour classification criterion, and the results were checked with a cross-validation technique.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Morphology of the release site of inhibitory synapses on the soma and dendrite of an identified neuron

Synapses are complex arrangements of pre- and postsynaptic differentiations involved in neural communication. A key element in this synaptic transmission is the presynaptic active zone where the release of neurotransmitter occurs. Active zones can be visualized and analyzed after staining with ethanolic phosphotungstic acid (EPTA) on semithin (0.5 micron) sections. This staining has been used in association with postembedding immunogold labeling for the neurotransmitters glycine or GABA, to investigate the organization of chemically defined inhibitory active zones, viewed in their full extent, on different regions of the goldfish Mauthner (M-) cell. With this approach, a marked variability in size and shape was observed for the release sites contacting the different parts of the postsynaptic neuron. In the axon cap and on the soma, glycinergic afferent terminals have small presynaptic grids (0.066 +/- 0.029 micron2, n = 30 and 0.076 +/- 0.037 micron2, n = 46, respectively). These grids are quite circular and they include 12 to 13 presynaptic dense projections (PDPs). The situation is different on the lateral dendrite, where glycinergic and GABAergic active zones display a greater variability in their surface areas (mean = 0.147 +/- 0.100 micron2, n = 115 and 0.139 +/- 0.080 micron2, n = 125, respectively), and their number of PDPs (mean = 19 +/- 9) per individual grid. Similarly, the shape of the release sites over the dendrite is more complex (annular, horseshoe-shaped) when compared to those on the soma. These differences of dendritic versus somatic release sites could represent a structural basis to maximize the shunting effect of glycinergic and GABAergic inhibitory junctions, i.e., close to excitatory inputs. We also observed that the proportion of endings containing 1 or more active zones also varies. More precisely, 96% and 82% of glycinergic terminals in the axon cap and on the soma, respectively, display only one active zone. On the dendrite, their proportion falls to 65.5% for both glycine- and GABA-containing boutons. The remaining inhibitory terminals contain 2 (30%) and 3 to 4 (4.5%) presynaptic grids. These results reveal a greater variability of morphology and organization of the inhibitory release sites at dendritic versus somatic locations. The functional significance of this observation for the synaptic transmission is discussed.

Changes in volume, surface estimate, three-dimensional shape and total number of neurons of the human primary visual cortex from midgestation until old age

Macroscopic features such as volume, surface estimate, thickness and caudorostral length of the human primary visual cortex (Brodman's area 17) of 46 human brains between midgestation and 93 years were studied by means of camera lucida drawings from serial frontal sections. Individual values were best fitted by a logistic function from midgestation to adulthood and by a regression line between adulthood and old age. Allometric functions were calculated to study developmental relationships between all the features. The three-dimensional shape of area 17 was also reconstructed from the serial sections in 15 cases and correlated with the sequence of morphological events. The sulcal pattern of area 17 begins to develop around 21 weeks of gestation but remains rather simple until birth, while it becomes more convoluted, particularly in the caudal part, during the postnatal period. Until birth, a large increase in cortical thickness (about 83% of its mean adult value) and caudorostral length (69%) produces a moderate increase in cortical volume (31%) and surface estimate (40%) of area 17. After birth, the cortical volume and surface undergo their maximum growth rate, in spite of a rather small increase in cortical thickness and caudorostral length. This is due to the development of the pattern of gyrification within and around the calcarine fissure. All macroscopic features have reached the mean adult value by the end of the first postnatal year. With aging, the only features to undergo significant regression are the cortical surface estimate and the caudorostral length. The total number of neurons in area 17 shows great interindividual variability at all ages. No decrease in the postnatal period or in aging could be demonstrated.

A comparison of synapses onto the somata of intrinsically bursting and regular spiking neurons in layer V of rat SmI cortex

Regular spiking (RS) and intrinsically bursting (IB) neurons show distinct differences in their inhibitory responses. Under various conditions, the synaptic responses of RS cells display marked inhibitory postsynaptic potentials (IPSPs), whereas the responses of most IB cells do not (Silva et al: Soc Neurosci Abstr 14:883, 1988; Chagnac-Amitai and Connors: J Neurophysiol 61:747, 62:1149, 1989; Connors and Gutnick: TINS 13:99, 1990). This investigation is designed to determine if differences in the inhibitory responses of RS versus IB cells are reflected in differences in the concentration of inhibitory synapses onto their somata. RS and IB neurons in rat somatosensory cortex were identified by using intracellular recording and labeling, examined with the light microscope, and then serial thin-sectioned prior to examination with the electron microscope. Axonal terminals presynaptic to their somata and proximal dendrites were identified and classified according to criteria described by Peters and coworkers (Peters et al: J Neurocytol 19:584, 1990; Peters and Harriman: J Neurocytol 19:154, 1990; 21:679, 1992). The locations of these boutons were displayed on the surfaces of 3-D reconstructions of the somata and proximal dendrites. The reconstructions were produced directly from the serial thin sections by using a novel, electron microscopic, image-processing computer resource. Our analysis showed no significant difference in the types and concentration of boutons presynaptic to the cell bodies and proximal dendrites of intrinsically bursting versus regular spiking neurons. We conclude that the differences observed in the inhibitory responses of intrinsically bursting versus regular spiking neurons cannot be explained by differences in the concentrations of synapses onto their somata.

Morphology of two classes of target-specific bullfrog sympathetic preganglionic neurons

These experiments took advantage of the unique ability to define target-specific sympathetic preganglionic neurons in the bullfrog spinal cord in order to examine the morphologies of different classes of preganglionic neurons. Sympathetic preganglionic neurons were identified by retrograde transport of fast blue from the sympathetic chain. Subsequently, fast blue-labelled sympathetic preganglionic neurons in fixed spinal cord slices were filled with lucifer yellow and processed for visualization with lucifer yellow antiserum, biotinylated secondary antiserum, and avidin peroxidase. Target specificity of sympathetic preganglionic neurons was determined by anatomical position; sympathetic preganglionic neurons that control the vasculature (C-type sympathetic preganglionic neurons) lie in a position caudal to those that control nonvascular targets [B-type sympathetic preganglionic neurons; Horn and Stofer (1988) J. Comp. Neurol. 268:71]. These two classes of sympathetic preganglionic neurons have qualitatively similar morphologies. However, they exhibit significant quantitative differences in total dendritic length and the rostrocaudal extent of dendrites. These differences are likely to be associated with differences in the number of synapses received by these two classes of sympathetic preganglionic neurons. Moreover, the segmental control of sympathetic preganglionic neurons by descending brainstem projections is likely to be finer for those involved in vascular control than for those that influence other targets.

Quantitative synaptology of functionally different types of cat medial gastrocnemius alpha-motoneurons

The aim of this ultrastructural investigation was to study quantitatively the synaptology of the cell bodies and dendrites of cat medial gastrocnemius (MG) alpha-motoneurons of functionally different types. In electrophysiologically classified and intracellularly HRP-labelled MG alpha-motoneurons of the FF (fast twitch, fatigable), FR (fast twitch, fatigue resistant) and S (slow twitch, very fatigue resistant) types, the synaptic covering of the soma as well as that of dendritic segments located within 100 microns and at 300, 700, and 1,000 microns distance, respectively from the soma, was analyzed. The synaptic boutons were classified into the L-(apposition length > 4 microns) and S-types (< 4 microns) with spherical synaptic vesicles, and the F-type with flat or pleomorphic synaptic vesicles. The length of apposition towards the motoneuron membrane was measured for each bouton profile. Approximately 1,000 boutons contacted the soma and a similar number of boutons contacted the proximal dendrites within 50 microns from the soma. The number of dendritic boutons was larger at the 300 microns distance than at the 100 and 700 microns distances. The three types of motoneurons showed similar values for percentage synaptic covering and synaptic packing density in the proximal dendrites, while in the most distal dendritic regions the S motoneurons had more than 50% higher values for percentage covering, packing density and total number of boutons. The S motoneurons also exhibited a larger preponderance of F-type boutons on the soma. The ratio between the F- and S-types of boutons decreased somatofugally along the dendrites in the type FF and FR motoneurons, while in the S motoneurons it remained fairly constant.

Simulation of the Effect of Synapses: the Significance of the Dendritic Diameter in Impulse Propagation

The effectiveness of synapses at various sites of the dendritic tree was studied using a segmental cable model with a program developed by Hines (Int. J. Biomed. Comput., 24, 55 - 68, 1989). The model rendered possible a high-fidelity simulation of the dendritic geometry of a frog motoneuron described in the accompanying paper (Birinyi et al., Eur. J. Neurosci., 1003 - 1012, 1992). The model was used in the passive membrane mode and the synaptic activity was simulated with current injections into large and small diameter dendrites at proximal and distal locations. Synaptic efficiency was defined by the charge transfer ratio expressed as the proportion of the injected current which appeared at the soma. The charge transfer ratio was determined with uniform and non-uniform distribution of specific membrane resistance over the soma - dendrite surface while the diameter of selected dendrite segments changed. The best charge transfer ratio was found with the largest dendrite membrane resistance, and the maximum efficiency of synaptic activity appeared at the original size of the dendrite segment stimulated. The amount of current that flowed in the proximal and distal directions from the segment stimulated depended on the diameter of that segment. The increase in diameter of proximal dendrites increased synaptic efficiency on distal dendrites, whereas the reverse caused a decline in synaptic efficiency on proximal dendrites. In addition to the diameter of dendrites, the arborization pattern also played a significant role in this mechanism. It is concluded that the cellulipetal increase in dendrite diameter greatly increases synaptic efficiency.

The Extent of the Dendritic Tree and the Number of Synapses in the Frog Motoneuron

Frog motoneurons were intracellularly labelled with cobaltic lysine in the brachial and the lumbar segments of the spinal cord, and the material was processed for light microscopy in serial sections. With the aid of the neuron reconstruction system NEUTRACE, the dendritic tree of neurons was reconstructed and the length and surface area of dendrites measured. The surface of somata was determined with the prolate - oblate average ellipsoid calculation. Corrections were made for shrinkage and for optical distortion. The mean surface area of somata was 6710 microm2; lumbar motoneurons were slightly larger than brachial motoneurons. The mean length of the combined dendritic tree of brachial neurons was 29 408 microm and that of lumbar neurons 46 806 microm. The mean surface area was 127 335 microm2 in brachial neurons, and 168 063 microm2 in lumbar neurons. The soma - dendrite surface area ratio was 3 - 5% in most cases. Dendrites with a diameter of </= 1.0 microm constituted approximately 75% of the combined dendritic length in most of the neurons. Unlike in the cat, there was no correlation between the size of stem dendrites and the extent of daughter branches. From the synaptic density estimated in earlier electron microscope investigations of frog motoneuron dendrites (Antal et al., J. Neurocytol., 15, 303 - 310, 1986; 21, 34 - 49, 1992), and from the present data, the number of synapses on the dendritic tree was calculated. The calculations indicated 26 949 synapses on the smallest and 61 519 synapses on the largest neuron if the synaptic density was multiplied by the length of the dendritic tree. If the synaptic density was multiplied by the surface area of the dendritic tree the calculation yielded 23 337 synapses for the smallest and 60 682 synapses for the largest neuron. More than 60% of the combined surface area of dendrites was >600 microm from the soma. This suggests that about two-thirds of the synapses impinged upon distant dendrites >600 microm from the soma. The efficacy of synapses at these large distances is investigated on model neurons in the accompanying paper (Wolf et al., Eur. J. Neurosci., 4 1013 - 1021, 1992).