Muscle fibre type distribution of the thoracolumbar and hindlimb regions of horses: relating fibre type and functional role

Background

Although the majority of equine muscles have a mixed fibre type distribution indicative of diverse functional roles, the predominance of a fibre type can indicate the primary function of a muscle. The deep epaxial musculature has an important role in core spinal stability in humans, reflected as a predominantly muscle fibre type (MFT) I or postural fibre type. The fibre type of the deep epaxial musculature has not been determined in horses. The objective of the study was to determine the MFT distribution in selected muscles of thoracolumbar and hindlimb region of horses. This included deep epaxial and hypaxial muscles that were hypothesised to have a postural stabilising role. A second objective was to examine differences in MFT distribution between horses bred for endurance (Arabian) and sprinting (Quarter horse). Muscle biopsy samples were obtained from selected thoracolumbar and hind limb muscles of 5 Quarter horses, 4 Arabians, and 2 Thoroughbreds. The myosin heavy chain distribution was determined by gel electrophoresis. Mann–Whitney rank test was used to compare the proportional MFT and differences between breeds.

Results

Mm. sacrocaudalis dorsalis medialis and diaphragm had the highest proportion of MFT-I. The remaining deep epaxial muscles and the hypaxial muscle m. psoas minor had approximately equal MFT I and II proportions. Mm. psoas major, iliocostalis, longissimus dorsi and the hind limb muscles contained mostly MFT-IIX. The fibre type distribution was similar between Arabians and Quarter horses, although Quarter horses had more MFT-IIX fibres in psoas major (P = 0.02) while Arabians had more MFT-I fibres in m. longissimus dorsi (P = 0.03).

Conclusions

The fibre type distribution of the deep epaxial muscles, mm psoas minor and diaphragm varied from approximately equal MFT-I and II proportions to predominantly MFT-I suggesting a postural stabilising role possibly important in core spinal stability. In contrast the fibre type proportions of mm psoas major, iliocostalis, longissimus dorsi and the hind limb muscles were mainly MFT-II suggesting a locomotory role. Knowledge of fibre type distribution in such a clinically important area can direct diagnosis, prevention and treatment of muscular or neuromotor dysfunction.     

Comparison of enzyme activities and gene expression profiling between yak and bovine skeletal muscles

The objective of the present study was to reveal the differences between yak (Bos grunniens) and cattle in energy metabolic characteristics and gene expressions in skeletal muscles. Activities of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), malate dehydrogenase (MDH) and β-hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase (HOAD), which are involved in metabolism of carbohydrate and fatty acid respectively, were measured in longissimus dorsi and biceps femoris. Yak contained higher total LDH activity and higher proportion of LDH5 in longissimus dorsi than cattle (P < 0.05), indicating its more anaerobic potential characteristics in carbohydrate metabolism. However, yak contained higher activities of MDH and HOAD (P < 0.05) in biceps femoris than cattle, exhibiting high oxidative capacity under hypoxic environment. Semi-quantitative RT-PCR analysis of mRNA abundance showed that yak and cattle contained a similar level of adipocyte fatty acid-binding protein (A-FABP) in both longissimus dorsi and biceps femoris, while myosin heavy chain I (MyHC I) in longissimus dorsi and biceps femoris, and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor coactivator 1α (PGC-1α) level in biceps femoris were significant lower in yak compared with cattle (P < 0.01 and P < 0.05 respectively), indicating the anaerobic characteristic of yak skeletal muscles. In conclusion, our experiment showed that yak skeletal muscles exhibit different energy metabolic property and gene expressions compared to cattle.     

Effects of exercise on skeletal muscle and serum enzyme activities in pigs

In order to determine skeletal muscle and serum enzyme activities following exercise, six adult Landrace pigs were submitted to 10 min running on a treadmill (0.5 m/s, on a 12% gradient) and compared to six controls. Blood samples were obtained just before the exercise, immediately after, and 24 h, 48 h and 144 h after exercise. Muscle biopsies were taken from the longissimus dorsi and biceps femoris 24 h after exercise. Total lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) and LDH isoenzymes in muscle and serum were unchanged. In muscle homogenates, there was no difference in total creatine phosphokinase (CK) activity between the two groups. Total CK activity in the biceps femoris muscle represented only 59% of that observed in the longissimus dorsi muscle. A mean CK-MB value of 2.5% was found in the control group for both muscles but after exercise it was 9.5% (p<0.05) for the biceps femoris and 12.2% (p<0.01) of the longissimus dorsi muscle. In serum, the total CK (p<0.05), CK-MM (p<0.05) and CK-BB (p<0.05) increased immediately after the exercise, followed by a progressive decrease.     

Analysis of DNA Methylation and mRNA Expression Level of MSTN Gene in Xinjiang Bashiby Sheep

In order to investigate DNA methylation and expression levels of myostatin (MSTN) gene in mscule and fat, 5 months of age of Bashiby sheep were selected, the promoter region and exon 1 methylation levels of MSTN gene was analyzed using bisulfite sequencing PCR (BSP). Real-time PCR was used to detect the expression level of MSTN gene in biceps femoris, femoral triceps, semitendinosus, semimembranosus, longissimus dorsi muscle and tail fat of Bashiby sheep. The results showed that the methylation probability of muscle was higher than fat, the methylation probability of biceps femoris, femoral triceps, semitendinosus, semimembranosus, longissimus dorsi muscle and tail fat were 74.2%, 74.2%, 83.2%, 83.7%, 82.1% and 25.3%, respectively. The expression levels of MSTN gene in biceps femoris, femoral triceps, semitendinosus, semimembranosus, longissimus dorsi muscle were significantly lower than tail fat in Bashiby sheep (P < 0.05), but there were no significant difference among biceps femoris, femoral triceps, semitendinosus, semimembranosus and longissimus dorsi muscle (P > 0.05).The DNA methylation was negatively correlated with the expression levels in muscle and fat of Bashiby sheep (r=-0.886, P < 0.05).     

新疆巴什拜羊肌肉生长抑制素基因DNA甲基化与mRNA表达量分析

为了探究肌肉生长抑制素（myostatin,MSTN）基因在肌肉和脂肪中的DNA甲基化模式及mRNA表达水平,试验以5月龄巴什拜羊羔羊为研究对象,采用亚硫酸氢盐测序法（bisulfite sequencing PCR,BSP）检测MSTN基因启动子区和第1外显子甲基化模式,并通过实时荧光定量PCR检测MSTN基因在巴什拜羊股二头肌、股三头肌、半腱肌、半膜肌、背最长肌和尾脂中的mRNA表达水平。结果显示,肌肉组织甲基化概率高于脂肪组织,其中,股二头肌、股三头肌、半腱肌、半膜肌、背最长肌和尾脂的甲基化概率分别为74.2%、74.2%、83.2%、83.7%、82.1%和25.3%,MSTN基因在股二头肌、股三头肌、半腱肌、半膜肌、背最长肌中的表达水平显著低于尾脂（P < 0.05）,股二头肌、股三头肌、半腱肌、半膜肌和背最长肌之间差异不显著（P > 0.05）,巴什拜羊肌肉和脂肪MSTN基因DNA甲基化水平与MSTN基因表达量呈显著负相关（r=－0.886,P < 0.05）。     

The calpain system in three muscles of normal and callipyge sheep

Activities of mu- and m-calpain and of calpastatin were measured at four different times during postmortem storage (0, 1, 3, and 10 d) in three muscles from either callipyge or noncallipyge (normal) sheep. The weights of two muscles, the biceps femoris and the longissimus, are greater in the callipyge phenotype, whereas the weight of the infraspinatus is not affected. The activity of m-calpain was greater (P < 0.05) in the biceps femoris and longissimus from callipyge than in those from normal sheep, but it was the same in the infraspinatus in the two phenotypes. The extractable activity of m-calpain did not change (biceps femoris and infraspinatus) or decreased slightly (longissimus) during postmortem storage. Extractable activity of mu-calpain decreased to zero or nearly zero after 10 d postmortem in all muscles from both groups of sheep. The rate of decrease in mu-calpain activity was the same in muscles from the callipyge and normal sheep. At all time points during postmortem storage, calpastatin activity was greater (P < 0.05) in the biceps femoris and longissimus from the callipyge than from the normal sheep, but it was the same in the infraspinatus from callipyge and normal sheep. Calpastatin activity decreased (P < 0.05) in all three muscles from both phenotypes during postmortem storage; the rate of this decrease in the callipyge biceps femoris and longissimus and in the infraspinatus from both the callipyge and normal sheep was slow, especially after the first 24 h postmortem, whereas calpastatin activity in the biceps femoris and longissimus from the normal sheep decreased rapidly. During postmortem storage, the 125-kDa calpastatin polypeptide was degraded, but the 80-kDa subunit of mu-calpain was cleaved only to 76- and 78-kDa polypeptides even though extractable mu-calpain activity declined nearly to zero. Approximately 50 to 60% of total mu-calpain became associated with the nonextractable pellet after 1 d postmortem. The myofibril fragmentation index for the biceps femoris and longissimus from normal sheep increased significantly during postmortem storage. The fragmentation index for the infraspinatus from the callipyge and normal sheep increased to an intermediate extent, whereas the index for the biceps femoris and longissimus from the callipyge did not change during 10-d postmortem storage. The results suggest that postmortem tenderization is related to the rate of calpastatin degradation in postmortem muscle and that calpastatin inhibition of the calpains in postmortem muscle is modulated in some as yet unknown manner.     

寒泊羊和小尾寒羊的肌肉组织学性状及理化性状比较研究

本研究以育肥的小尾寒羊和寒泊羊的羔羊为试验动物,采集背最长肌、臂三头肌、股二头肌和臀中肌样品,测定了肌纤维横截面积、直径、粗脂肪含量和氨基酸种类及含量。结果表明,寒泊羊背最长肌肌纤维直径和横截面积均小于小尾寒羊(P＜0.01),股二头肌肌纤维直径和横截面积大于小尾寒羊 (P＜0.05)。寒泊羊背最长肌和股二头肌粗脂肪含量高于小尾寒羊(P＜0.01,P＜0.05),臂三头肌和臀中肌粗脂肪含量略高于小尾寒羊(P＞0.05)。小尾寒羊肉中牛磺酸含量高于寒泊羊(P＜0.01),其余17种氨基酸含量两品种羊肉间差异不显著(P＞0.05)。与肉鲜味有关的5种氨基酸,寒泊羊肌肉的含量高于小尾寒羊。除赖氨酸和色氨酸外,其余6种人体必需氨基酸寒泊羊肌肉的含量高于小尾寒羊。     

The Expression Characteristics of MYNN Gene in Different Tissues and Muscles of Pig

This study was aimed to investigate the expression characteristics of myoneurin (MYNN) gene in different tissues and its developmental expression in muscles (longissimus dorsi, biceps femoris and psoas major), cerebellum, liver, pancreas, kidney, stomach, spleen and lung tissues of pigs. The expression characteristics of MYNN mRNA in 11 different tissues including heart, liver, spleen, lung, kidney, cerebellum, small intestine, pancreas, stomach, biceps femoris and fat of Large White pigs and Mashen pigs at the age of 90 days and the developmental expression patterns in muscle, cerebellum, liver, pancreas, kidney, stomach, spleen at three strages (1, 90, 180 days) of Large White pigs and Mashen pigs were studied by Real-time PCR. The results showed that MYNN was widely expressed in various tissues of pigs, and there was significant difference among the tissues(P < 0.05; P < 0.01); The expression of MYNN in muscle, liver, pancreas, cerebellum, kidney, stomach, spleen, lung tissues were significant difference at three development stages of Large White pigs and Mashen pigs(P < 0.05; P < 0.01), and also had a specific rule, which indicated that it may play an important role in these pig tissues. The expression of MYNN gene could related to the tissue, age and the genetic background of breeds. The results of this study provided a better understanding of the biological functions of pig MYNN. Further studies are required to determine its molecular mechanisms, especially in the regulation of skeletal muscle development.     

Variation of fiber types in the triceps brachii, longissimus dorsi, gluteus medius, and biceps femoris of horses

The distribution of type-I and type-II fibers in 9 different parts of the musculi triceps brachii, longissimus dorsi, gluteus medius, and biceps femoris was studied to determine whether biopsies from these muscles give reliable information. All 4 investigated muscles were not homogeneous in their fiber-type distribution. Large differences existed among different muscle parts. The percentage of type-I fibers increased toward the deeper and cranial parts of the muscles. In the same zone of the gluteus muscle, differences of 30% were found for type-I fibers. Therefore, results obtained by biopsies of muscles must be interpreted with caution.     

Cloning and Expression of CMKLR1 Gene and Its Correlation with Intramuscular Fat in Goat (Capra hirus)

In order to enrich basic date in goat (Capra hirus) CMKLR1 gene and investigate the correlation between CMKLR1 gene expression and intramuscular fat (IMF) content in muscles, the CMKLR1 gene was cloned from the goat of subcutaneous adipose tissue by RT-PCR, characterized by bioinformatics methods. The expression profiles of CMKLR1 gene of goat in various tissues were constructed liver was benchmark, the GAPDH (GenBank accession No.: AJ431207.1) as a reference gene.Then, the correlation between CMKLR1 mRNA expression and IMF content in muscles was analyzed. The results showed that the CMKLR1 gene CDS of goat (GenBank accession No.: KT165374) was 1 089 bp. Real-time PCR indicated that CMKLR1 was widely expressed in various tissues, including heart, liver, spleen, lung, kidney, adipose, longissimus dorsi, biceps femoris and triceps brachii, and was the highest in lung (P< 0.05). Similar expression variation trend of CMKLR1 was observed between the muscles from 1 to 3 and 24 months old goat, and was the highest in biceps femoris. Reversely, in 8 to 10 months old CMKLR1 was the highest in triceps brachii. The IMF of longissimus dorsi from 24 months old was the highest. Correlation analysis demonstrated that different correlations were observed between expression of CMKLR1 mRNA and IMF content in longissimus dorsi, biceps femoris, and triceps brachii in goat. The CMKLR1 gene did not participate in the deposition of IMF in goats. The research built the theoretical basis for further studies about the CMKLR1 gene.     

Muscle fibers of pigs sensitive to halothane and resistant to it

The histological and histochemical structure of m. longissimus thoracis, m. semimembranosus, m. triceps brachii-caput longum and m. rectus femoris was compared in pigs with a positive and negative reaction to halothane treatment. As found, the pigs affected by the malignant hyperthermia syndrome have thicker muscle fibres in the studied muscles. In the course of growth, the muscles of these animals have a larger proportion of red fibres (SO), but it is already at the age of 170 days (weight 100 kg) that light fibres prevail. The relative volume of the FG fibres is larger by 1-5%, as compared with the healthy animals. A higher number of pathologically changed fibres occurs in the pigs sensitive to halothane. The histological picture is individually variable; therefore the histological and histochemical methods cannot be considered as objective in view of MHS diagnosis. The general weakening of the constitution of the pigs is discussed as a possible predisposition factor underlying the development of various health disorders.     

山羊CMKLR1基因的克隆、表达及其与肌内脂肪的相关性研究

试验旨在克隆山羊CMKLR1基因序列并进行生物信息学分析,研究其表达与肌内脂肪（IMF）沉积的相关性。采集山羊皮下脂肪组织,应用RT-PCR克隆山羊CMKLR1基因序列;以GAPDH（GenBank登录号：AJ431207.1）为内参基因,实时荧光定量PCR检测其在山羊不同组织中的表达量及在肌肉组织中的时序表达谱（以肝脏表达量为基准）;测定肌肉组织中的IMF含量,分析其与CMKLR1 mRNA表达量的相关性。结果显示,克隆获得了山羊CMKLR1基因,1 089 bp的CDS区,GenBank登录号：KT165374。实时荧光定量PCR分析显示,CMKLR1基因在24月龄山羊心脏、肝脏、脾脏、肺脏、肾脏、脂肪、背最长肌、股二头肌和臂三头肌中均存在不同程度的表达,其中在肺脏中表达量显著高于其他组织（P< 0.05）;CMKLR1基因在1~3和24月龄的山羊背最长肌、臂三头肌和股二头肌中表达趋势相同,均是在股二头肌中表达量最高,而8~10月龄则是在臂三头肌中表达量最高。山羊IMF含量以24月龄背最长肌含量最高。山羊背最长肌、股二头肌和臂三头肌中CMKLR1 mRNA表达与IMF含量相关性不显著（P> 0.05）。CMKLR1基因不参与山羊IMF沉积作用,试验结果为进一步研究CMKLR1基因奠定理论基础。     

MYNN基因在猪不同组织及肌肉中的表达规律

试验旨在研究myoneurin（MYNN）基因在猪不同组织中的表达特征及其在肌肉（背最长肌、股二头肌和腰大肌）、小脑、肝脏、胰脏、肾脏、胃、脾脏、肺脏组织中的发育性表达规律。采用实时荧光定量PCR技术研究猪MYNN mRNA在90日龄大白猪和马身猪的心脏、肝脏、脾脏、肺脏、肾脏、小脑、小肠、胰脏、胃、股二头肌及脂肪共11个组织中的表达谱,以及在大白猪和马身猪1、90、180日龄3个发育阶段的肌肉、小脑、肝脏、胰脏、肾脏、胃、脾脏、肺脏组织中的发育性表达规律。结果表明,MYNN在猪的各种组织中广泛表达,且各组织间表达差异显著或极显著（P < 0.05;P < 0.01）;MYNN在大白猪和马身猪的肌肉、小脑、肝脏、胰脏、肾脏、胃、脾脏、肺脏组织中的不同发育阶段表达差异显著或极显著（P < 0.05;P < 0.01）,并具有特定规律,由此推测其可能在猪的这几种组织中发挥重要作用。MYNN基因的表达与组织、日龄及品种的遗传背景有关。本试验为研究猪MYNN基因的生物学功能提供了依据,但还需要深入的研究来探索其作用的具体机制,尤其是在骨骼肌发育中的调节机制。     

海门山羊不同部位肌肉中氨基酸含量的研究

选取12月龄海门山羊公、母羊和波尔山羊×海门山羊F₁代公羊3个群体为试验素材,分别取颊肌、斜方肌、臂三头肌、背最长肌、股二头肌、股四头肌和腓肠肌7个部位肌肉来研究海门山羊不同部位肌肉中氨基酸的含量。采用高效液相色谱法测定肌肉中氨基酸的种类和含量。结果表明,所测3个类群山羊7个部位的氨基酸均以谷氨酸含量最高;海门山羊(♂)斜方肌的脯氨酸含量显著高于臂三头肌、背最长肌(P＜0.05);海门山羊(♀)斜方肌的丝氨酸、甘氨酸、精氨酸、脯氨酸、半胱氨酸和苯丙氨酸的含量显著高于背最长肌(P＜0.05);波尔山羊×海门山羊F₁(♂)斜方肌的甘氨酸含量显著大于其他部位肌肉中含量(P＜0.05);3个类群7个部位的必需氨基酸、鲜味氨基酸和总氨基酸含量均无显著差异(P＞0.05),但鲜味氨基酸含量较丰富。总体来说,海门山羊不同类群及不同部位除了个别氨基酸存在差异外,大部分氨基酸均差异不显著,但海门山羊尤其公羊的鲜味氨基酸含量丰富,肉质鲜味较好。     

淮猪及杂交后代肌纤维直径变化及其与肉质关系的研究

对不同品种和杂交组合肥育猪(淮猪、长淮、大长淮)采用单因子试验设计,在相同条件下,研究不同血缘比例对淮猪肌纤维直径的影响。结果表明:淮杂猪的背最长肌和股二头肌肌纤维直径显著高于淮猪(P<0.05)。淮猪的肌纤维直径介于中国地方猪与国外瘦肉型猪之间。肌纤维直径与胴体性状(瘦肉率、眼肌面积、背最长肌全重、背最长肌率、脂肪)呈较强的相关性。淮杂猪肉质理化性状中(肉色评分、大理石纹评分、贮藏损失)3项指标明显变差(P<0.05),但pH值变化不显著。作者认为淮猪杂交后代的肌纤维直径较纯种淮猪粗,淮杂猪肉质也较纯种淮猪差。     

The effects of selection of pigs on growth rate vs leanness on histochemical characteristics of different muscles

The microstructure of two type of muscles was studied in a selection experiment conducted with Dutch Large White pigs (boars and gilts) selected for either low backfat thickness (L-line) or fast growth (F-line). Second- and fourth-generation pigs were used to determine effects of selection on fiber type composition, fiber area, and capillary density in the longissimus lumborum (LL) and biceps femoris (BF) muscles. Immediately after slaughter samples were taken from the LL and BF muscles. The latter was divided into an inside (BFi) and outside (BFo) portion, which refer to the red and white portions of the biceps femoris. Serial sections were stained for ATPase (pH 4.60), succinate dehydrogenase (SDH), and alpha-amylase-periodic acid shiff (PAS) to determine fiber type and capillary density. The LL and BFo muscles had predominantly type IIBw fibers, whereas the BFi muscle had a 2 to 4 times higher amount of type I fibers. In most muscles there were more type I and fewer type IIBw fibers in F- than in L-line pigs (P < .05), except in the LL muscle of second-generation pigs and in the red part of the BF muscle of fourth-generation pigs. In both selection lines lower type I and higher type IIBw percentages were found in muscles from gilts than in those from boars (P < .05). Capillary density and fiber area of L- and F-lines showed minor differences, which could be explained by differences in weight and age of the pigs of both lines. The results suggest that selection for low backfat thickness in pig breeding compared with increased growth rate resulted in fewer oxidative and more glycolytic muscle fibers. The magnitude of the effect depended on muscle type and duration of the selection period.     

Study on the Expression Profile of Pax7 Gene and its Developmental Expression in Longissimus Dorsi of Pigs

The aim of this study was to investigate the expression profile of Pax7 (paired box 7) gene in different tissues and its developmental expression in longissimus dorsi of pigs.The expression profiles of Pax7 gene at the levels of mRNA and protein in 12 different tissues including heart,liver,spleen,lung,kidney,stomach,small intestine,hypothalamus,cerebellum,longissimus dorsi,biceeps femoris,psoas major of Mashen pigs at birth and the developmental expression patterns in longissimus dorsi at seven stages (1,30,60,90,120,150,and 180-day old) of Mashen and Large White pigs were studied by quantitative Real-time PCR and Western blotting.The results showed that the Pax7 mRNA was expressed in longissimus dorsi,biceeps femoris,psoas major,hypothalamus,and cerebellum,wherease the Pax7 protein was only expressed in skeletal muscles of longissimus dorsi,biceeps femoris,and psoas major.The developmental expression patterns of Pax7 mRNA and protein in Mashen pig was basically in accordance with those in Large White pig.The mRNA expression amount of Pax7 gene in longissimus dorsi was the greatest at 30-day old (P <0.01),followed by the expression at 1-day old,and kept lower stable levels at other stages both in Mashen and Large White pigs.At the stages of 30-day,90-day,and 180-day old,Pax7 mRNA expression amounts in Mashen pig were significantly higher than those in Large White pig (P <0.01).The Pax7 protein expression at 1-day old was the greatest (P <0.01),followed by it at 30-day old,which were significantly greater than those at other stages,at which Pax7 expression was in lower stable levels.The Pax7 protein expression from one-day old to 180-day old in Mashen pig was significantly greater than those in Large White pig (P <0.05;P <0.01).The expression of Pax7 gene could associated with tissue,age,and background of pig breed.     

Long‐term ingestion of low amylose/amylopectin ratio diet affects aspects of meat quality by changing muscle fibre characteristics in growing‐finishing pigs

Amylose plays important role in body health. It is controversial whether changing dietary amylose/amylopectin ratio (DAR) will improve meat quality in growing‐finishing pigs. A total of 48 Duroc × Landrace × Large White castrated male pigs (initial body weight 49.8 ± 2.8 kg) were randomly allotted to two treatments, and fed ad libitum either with a low DAR diet (LR, amylose/amylopectin: 12/88) or a high DAR diet (HR, amylose/amylopectin: 30/70) for 68 days. Feed intake was recorded every day, body weight was weighed at 46th and 68th day to calculate average daily gain (ADG), average daily feed intake (ADFI) and Feed:gain ratio. Blood was collected at ?30 min (fasting 12 hr), 60, 90, 120, 180 min postprandial at 64th day and then serum was obtained by centrifugation of blood at 1,500× g at 4°C. After pigs were slaughtered, samples such as longissimus dorsi, iliopsoas and semitendinosus were collected. Density, diameter and types of muscle fibres were analysed. Results showed that ADG, ADFI, Feed:Gain ratio, cross‐sectional area of longissimus dorsi muscle, backfat thickness, colour scores were not affected by DAR. Ingestion of LR diet increased the fasting glucose (p < 0.05) and insulin (p < 0.05) concentrations in serum. The drip loss and firmness were decreased significantly in LR vs. HR animals (p < 0.05). Densities of muscle fibre in longissimus dorsi, iliopsoas and semitendinosus were greater in LR pigs (p < 0.05). Moreover, ingestion of LR diet significantly increased myosin heavy chain (MyHC) IIa mRNA level and decreased MyHC IIb gene expression in longissimus dorsi muscle (LM) (p < 0.05). Therefore, intake of diet low in amylose/amylopectin ratio induces a better meat quality (lower drip loss and lower firmness), which could attribute to smaller myofibres, a shift to slower and/or more oxidative fibres.     

Effects of postmortem aging and USDA quality grade on Warner-Bratzler shear force values of seventeen individual beef muscles

Forty USDA Select and 40 upper two-thirds USDA Choice beef carcasses were used to determine the effects of postmortem aging on tenderness of 17 individual beef muscles. Biceps femoris-long head, complexus, gluteus medius, infraspinatus, longissimus dorsi, psoas major, rectus femoris, semimembranosus, semitendinosus, serratus ventralis, spinalis dorsi, supraspinatus, tensor fasciae latae, teres major, triceps brachii-long head, vastus lateralis, and vastus medialis muscles were removed from each carcass. Seven steaks (2.54-cm thick) were cut from every muscle, and each steak was assigned to one of the following postmortem aging periods: 2, 4, 6, 10, 14, 21, or 28 d postmortem. After completion of the designated aging period, steaks were removed from storage (2 degrees C, never frozen), cooked to a peak internal temperature of 71 degrees C, and evaluated using Warner-Bratzler shear force (WBSF). Analysis of WBSF revealed a 3-way interaction (P = 0.004) among individual muscle, USDA quality grade, and postmortem aging period. With the exception of the Select teres major, WBSF of all muscles (both quality grades) decreased with increasing time of postmortem storage. Nonlinear regression was used to characterize the extent (aging response) and rate of decrease in WBSF from 2 through 28 d postmortem for each muscle within each quality grade. In general, WBSF of upper two-thirds Choice muscles decreased more rapidly from 2 to 10 d postmortem than did corresponding Select muscles. Muscles that had greater aging responses generally had greater 2-d WBSF values. The upper two-thirds Choice psoas major, serratus ventralis, and vastus lateralis muscles required similar aging times to complete a majority of the aging response (< or =0.1 kg of aging response remaining) compared with analogous Select muscles. The upper two-thirds Choice complexus, gluteus medius, semitendinosus, triceps brachii-long head, and vastus medialis muscles required 4 to 6 d less time to complete a majority of the aging response than did comparable Select muscles. Aging times for Select biceps femoris-long head, infraspinatus, longissimus dorsi, rectus femoris, semimembranosus, spinalis dorsi, supraspinatus, and tensor fasciae latae muscles were > or =7 d longer than those for corresponding upper two-thirds Choice muscles. Results from this study suggest that muscle-to-muscle tenderness differences depend on quality grade and aging time and that postmortem aging should be managed with respect to individual muscle and USDA quality grade.     

Veränderungen der Muskelfasertypenverteilung im M. longissimus dorsi von Ebern während des Wachstums, dargestellt mit verschiedenen histochemischen Methoden

Changes in the distribution of muscle-fiber-types from the M. longissimus dorsi of male pigs. A Histochemical Approach Samples of the M. longissimus dorsi from growing up pigs were taken by a shooting-biopsy. The types of muscle-fibers could be demonstrated by two different histochemical staining procedures. With these two histochemical staining procedures significant differences between the different structure of the muscle-fibers during increasing age of the pigs could be detected.