An analysis of satellite cell content in the semimembranosus muscle of Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica) selected for rapid growth.
Transverse sections of the semimembranosus muscle of a control (C) line of Japanese quail and of a line (P) selected for high body weight at 4 weeks of age were observed for nuclear content. The two lines were sampled at 4 days posthatching and at 4 weeks of age. The relative number of satellite cells decreased from 4 days to 4 weeks of age. The total number of satellite cells, however, appeared to increase as muscle length increased; this relation was not influenced by line effects. It was concluded that the greater number of nuclei in the longer fibers of P-line quail was principally the consequence of a greater mitotic rate in the satellite cells of this line compared to the C-line quail.
D000367:Age Factors; D000818:Animals; D002452:Cell Count; D002460:Cell Line; D002467:Cell Nucleus; D003370:Coturnix; D009132:Muscles / Q000166:cytology*