ULTRASTRUCTURAL MORPHOMETRIC INVESTIGATION OF THE HEART OF RABBITS AFTER A SINGLE ADMINISTRATION OF RESERPINE

The ultrastructure of myocardial cells of chinchilla rabbits was morph ometrically examined after administration of one dose of reserpine. Th e results show that 24 hours after administration of reserpine, there is a decrease in the number and an increase in the size of the mitocho ndria, a relaxation or narrowing and ramification of myofibrils, an in crease in intracellular lipid content compared with control animals. T hese changes are the result of functional and chemical desympathizatio n and they represent an ultrastructural-morphometric characteristic of the action on cardiomyocytes.