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Home / Equine Research Bank / J Anat / Differences in the histochemical properties of skeletal musc...
Journal of anatomy1978; 127(Pt 3); 615-634;

Differences in the histochemical properties of skeletal muscles of different breeds of horses and dogs.

Abstract: Histochemical profiles of individual muscle fibres were established using myosin adenosine triphosphatase (myosin ATPase), succinate dehydrogenase (SDHase), and glycogen phosphorylase (GPase) reactions in three muscles (semitendinosus, diaphragm, and pectoralis transversus) of the horse and dog. The major histochemical difference between fibres lies in their myosin ATPase activity; fibres can be subdivided into those with a high and those with a low activity. In horse muscle, all fibres have a high activity of GPase. In the diaphragm and pectoralis transversus, all fibres have a high SDHase activity, but fibres with a low activity of SDHase are also present in samples of the semitendinosus. In dog muscle, all fibres have a high SDHase activity; myosin ATPase low-reacting fibres also have a low activity of GPase. There is a greater fractional area of myosin ATPase high-reacting fibres in the pectoralis transversus and semitendinosus of thoroughbred horses and greyhounds (breeds selected for high speed running) and in the diaphragm of greyhounds. In adults this feature does not appear to be due to training, as are the differences in aerobic and anaerobic capacity (shown in other studies). The preponderance of myosin Atpase high-reacting fibres suggests that there may be differences in the nervous systems of athletes and non-athletes. It is concluded that the proportions of fibre types in muscles are related to the functions of muscles and of their parts. No sex differences or detraining effects were apparent, although the value for the proportion of fibre types (as differentiated by the myosin ATPase reaction) in the limb muscles of thoroughbred crosses lies between those of thoroughbreds and non-thoroughbreds.
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Publication Date: 1978-12-01 PubMed ID: 154495PubMed Central: PMC1235746
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  • Comparative Study
  • Journal Article

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

This research looks at the variations in histochemical properties of skeletal muscles among different breeds of horses and dogs. The study found differences in the activity of certain enzymes in muscle fibres and suggests these differences may be associated with the muscle functions, athletic performance and potentially the nervous systems in these breeds.

Methodology and Findings

  • In order to identify differences between fibers, the researchers used histochemical profiling of muscle fibres. This included reactions using myosin adenosine triphosphatase (myosin ATPase), succinate dehydrogenase (SDHase), and glycogen phosphorylase (GPase). These enzymes play various roles in muscular activity, such as muscle contraction and energy production.
  • Different muscle areas (semitendinosus, diaphragm, and pectoralis transversus) were taken from horses and dogs of different breeds. The main difference among fibres was identified as the different activity levels of myosin ATPase, with fibres being subdivided into those with high and low activity depending on the enzyme’s performance.
  • In horse muscles, all fibres demonstrated high GPase activity. In the diaphragm and pectoralis transversus all fibres showed high SDHase activity as well, though low SDHase activity fibres were also present in the semitendinosus muscle samples. Dog muscles, on the other hand, presented high SDHase activity across all fibres and those fibres with low myosin ATPase reaction also had a low GPase activity levels.

Comparative Analysis and Conclusions

  • The researchers observed a larger proportion of myosin ATPase high-reacting fibres in the muscle groups of thoroughbred horses and greyhounds, breeds known for their high-speed running prowess. Similar high-reacting fibres were also found prevalent in the diaphragm muscles of greyhounds.
  • The increased proportion of high-reacting fibres in these athletic breeds doesn’t seem to be due to training, but likely intrinsic to the breed itself and perhaps tied to higher aerobic and anaerobic capacities. This disparity hinted at potential differences in the nervous systems of athletes and non-athletes which could also play a role.
  • The study concluded that the proportions of fibre types observed in muscles correlated to the muscle’s function. Additionally, it reported no discernible sex differences or detraining effects. Yet, the proportion of fibre types seen in limb muscles of thoroughbred crosses seemed intermediate, landing between thoroughbred and non-thoroughbred levels.

Cite This Article

APA
Gunn HM. (1978). Differences in the histochemical properties of skeletal muscles of different breeds of horses and dogs. J Anat, 127(Pt 3), 615-634.

Publication

Journal of anatomy
ISSN: 0021-8782
NlmUniqueID: 0137162
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 127
Issue: Pt 3
Pages: 615-634

Researcher Affiliations

Gunn, H M

    MeSH Terms

    • Adenosine Triphosphatases / metabolism
    • Animals
    • Dogs / metabolism
    • Female
    • Histocytochemistry
    • Horses / metabolism
    • Male
    • Muscles / enzymology
    • Phosphorylases / metabolism
    • Physical Fitness
    • Succinate Dehydrogenase / metabolism

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