Contractile properties of muscle fibers from the deep and superficial digital flexors of horses.
- Journal Article
- Research Support
- N.I.H.
- Extramural
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
- Research Support
- U.S. Gov't
- Non-P.H.S.
Summary
The research explores the different contractile properties of muscle fibers found in the deep and superficial digital flexors of horses. This study seeks to explain how the remarkable architectural diversity among these fibers impacts their functional role during locomotion.
Research Methodology
The digital flexor muscles of horses, despite having differing structures, operate on almost identical mechanical relationships with the main joint they are associated with. The deep digital flexor (DDF) has long unipennate fibers while the superficial digital flexor (SDF) has very short, multipennate fibers. The muscle fibers’ contractile properties were analyzed in two ways:
- The fiber type was determined through a study of the Myosin heavy chain (MHC) isoform.
- In-vitro motility assays were used to measure the velocity of actin filament sliding (Vf).
For a more detailed assessment, the skinned fiber contractile properties were characterized at temperatures of 10 and 30 degrees Celsius to understand the isometric tension (P0/CSA), velocity of unloaded shortening (VUS), and force-Ca2+ relationships.
Research Findings
The deep digital flexor (DDF) was discovered to contain a higher percentage of MHC-2A fibers with myosin whose Vf was twice as fast as that of the superficial digital flexor (SDF). At 30 degrees Celsius, parameters such as P0/CSA and VUS were higher and faster respectively for DDF than for SDF fibers. Moreover, an increase in Ca2+ concentration led to an increase in active isometric tension, with maximum activation at pCa 5 at each temperature.
Conclusion
The study concluded that the overall properties of DDF and SDF are influenced by their MHC isoform composition, architectural structure, and the specific functions each type of muscle plays during locomotion. This underlying diversity explains their unique characteristics despite both DD and SDF having similar operational relationships with the main joint they act on. The research provides a comprehensive understanding of the contractile properties and functional differences of these muscle fibers.
Cite This Article
Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Dept. of Biological Sciences, Youngstown State University, OH 44555, USA. mtbutcher@ysu.edu
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Biomechanical Phenomena
- Body Temperature / physiology
- Calcium / physiology
- Cell Movement
- Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel
- Female
- Horses / physiology
- Immunohistochemistry
- Isometric Contraction
- Joints / physiology
- Locomotion / physiology
- Male
- Muscle Contraction / physiology
- Muscle Fibers, Skeletal / chemistry
- Muscle Fibers, Skeletal / classification
- Muscle Fibers, Skeletal / physiology
- Muscle, Skeletal / physiology
- Myosin Heavy Chains / metabolism
- Myosins / chemistry
- Myosins / metabolism
- Tendons / physiology
Grant Funding
- R01 HL063974 / NHLBI NIH HHS
- R01 HL063974-04 / NHLBI NIH HHS
- R01 HL063974-05 / NHLBI NIH HHS
- HL-63974 / NHLBI NIH HHS
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