Histochemical skeletal muscle fibre types in the sheep.
In this study, the differentiation of adult and postnatal muscle fibres in sheep longissimus thoracis muscle has been characterized. By using a variety of histochemical methods, we have investigated the m-ATPase and metabolic activities of skeletal muscle fibres in adult sheep and lambs aged between 1 day and 3 months. Types I, IIA, IIB and IIC fibres were identified. The results showed that the interpretation of the fibre type composition depends on the methods used. The findings also revealed that the fibre types IIA and IIB can be separated histochemically in sheep by using the correct m-ATPase technique, even at early stages of postnatal development, and that the origin of the four different fibres of the adult can be traced back to early postnatal stages.
Peinado
B
B
Murcian Institute of Agricultural and Alimentary Research and Development (IMIDA), C/Mayor s/n, 30150 La Alberca, Murcia, Spain. begona.peinado@carm.es
Latorre
R
R
Váquez-Autón
J M
JM
Poto
A
A
Ramírez
G
G
López-Albors
O
O
Moreno
F
F
Gil
F
F
D000251:Adenosine Triphosphatases / Q000032:analysis; D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D006651:Histocytochemistry / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary*; D024510:Muscle Development; D018485:Muscle Fibers, Skeletal / Q000145:classification* / Q000201:enzymology; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000166:cytology; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D012756:Sheep / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000254:growth & development
D000251:Adenosine Triphosphatases