The effect of tenotomy and of immobilisation in lengthened and shortened positions on the intramuscular connective tissue of the calf muscles of the rat was studied morphometrically and with a scanning electron microscope. Both tenotomy and immobilisation produced a marked increase in both the endomysial and the perimysial collagen networks, with a simultaneous decrease in intramuscular capillary density. The increase in connective tissue volume was more pronounced and occurred more rapidly in the soleus, which consists mainly of type I, slow-twitch fibres than in the gastrocnemius, which is mainly of type II, fast-twitch fibres. The relative volume of connective tissue increased in parallel with the duration of immobilisation or after tenotomy. There was slightly more increase after immobilisation in a shortened rather than in a lengthened position.
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