The effect of skeletal muscle needle biopsy on blood constituents, muscle glycogen and heart rate of cattle

Muscle samples from Friesian bulls were obtained using the Bergstr?m percutaneous biopsy needle. The samples (100 to 200 mg) were suitable for metabolite and enzymic analyses and histological examination in relation to meat quality. The physiological response to biopsy was assessed by measuring serum free fatty acid and blood glucose concentrations, plasma creatine kinase activity and heart rate. Muscle glycogen concentration was also measured. These parameters were unchanged by the experimental procedure, with the exception of blood glucose and heart rate which showed significant increases. The experimental animals showed no adverse effects after repeated biopsy and it is concluded that the technique is suitable for investigating beef muscle metabolism in vivo, and does not cause an unacceptable degree of stress.