Changes in breast muscle composition in the young chick.
Nitrogen, protein and nucleic acids concentrations in the breast muscle (pectoralis thoracica), composition of sarcoplasmic and myofibrillar protein, and serum level of 3-methylhistidine were determined in female Warren chicks at 2, 3, 4 and 6 wk of age. Sarcoplasmic nitrogen and protein concentrations showed opposite changes to those presented by myofibrillar concentrations, with a maximum value at 3 and 4 wk of age and decreasing at 6 wk of age. Ribonucleic acid concentration decreased and protein/ribonucleic acid ratio increased from 2 to 6 wk of age. Differences were observed in the electrophoretical banding pattern of myofibrillar protein at 3 wk of age. Serum level of 3-methylhistidine increased from 2 to 4 wk of age (from .71 to 3.25 nmol/g), and no change was observed at 6 wk of age (3.46 nmol/g).
Department of Biochemistry and Molecular and Cellular Biology, University College of La Rioja, University of Zaragoza, Logroño, Spain.
P
P
Iñarrea
J
J
González
M S
MS
Andrades
J
J
Palacios
D000367:Age Factors; D000818:Animals; D002645:Chickens / Q000378:metabolism*; D004247:DNA / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D008762:Methylhistidines / Q000097:blood; D009132:Muscles / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism; D009210:Myofibrils / Q000378:metabolism; D009584:Nitrogen / Q000032:analysis*; D011506:Proteins / Q000032:analysis*; D012313:RNA / Q000378:metabolism*
D008762:Methylhistidines; D011506:Proteins; D012313:RNA; D004247:DNA; C028118:3-methylhistidine; D009584:Nitrogen