Question

Define the term myogenic index and describe how it is measured experimentally. What cellular process can be assessed using myogenic index measurements? What does an increase in myogenic index tell you? Explain.

Answer 1

A myogenic index is a term used to define myoblast fusion. It is defined as the number of all the nuclei that have three or more nuclei (fused during cell fusion) divided by the total number of nuclei in the cell. The calculations are done using microscopic images of the cells.

The cellular process which can be assessed using myogenic index is the fusion of myoblasts (muscle cells).

An increase in the myogenic index indicates that there is an increased myogenesis. Myogenesis is the formation of new muscle cells during which the myoblasts fuse together to form multinucleate cells. As the number of multinucleate cells increases, so does the myogenic index.