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Journal of anatomy1999; 194 ( Pt 3)(Pt 3); 363-372; doi: 10.1046/j.1469-7580.1999.19430363.x

Distribution of fast myosin heavy chain-based muscle fibres in the gluteus medius of untrained horses: mismatch between antigenic and ATPase determinants.

Abstract: The distribution of muscle fibres classified on the basis of their content of different myosin heavy chain (MHC) isoforms was analysed in muscle biopsies from the gluteus medius of adult untrained horses by correlating immunohistochemistry with specific anti-MHC monoclonal antibodies and standard myofibrillar ATPase (mATPase) histochemistry. Percutaneous needle biopsies were taken at 3 depths (20, 40 and 60 mm) from 4 4-y-old Andalusian stallions. The percentage of 'pure' I MHC fibres increased whereas that for pure IIX MHC fibres decreased from the most superficial to the deepest sampling site. Within the fast fibres, types IIA and IIAX MHC-classified fibres were proportionately more abundant in the deepest sampling site than in the superficial region of the muscle. The immunohistochemical and histochemical characterisation of a large number of single fibres (n = 1375) was compared and correlated on a fibre-to-fibre basis. The results showed that 40% of the fibres analysed were pure type I (expressing only MHC-I); they showed correct matching between their antigenic and mATPase determinants. In contrast, within the fast fibres, a considerable proportion of fibres were found showing a mismatch between their immunohistochemical and mATPase profiles. The most common mismatched fibre phenotypes comprised fibres displaying coexpression of both fast MHCs when analysed by immunocytochemistry, but showing an mATPase profile similar to typical IIX fibres (moderate mATPase reaction after preincubation at pH 4.4). Considered altogether, the total mismatched fibres represented only 4.2% of the whole fast fibre population in the superficial region of the muscle, but their proportion increased to 15.6% and 38.4% in the middle and deep regions, respectively, of gluteus medius. It is concluded that a considerable number of hybrid fast MHC IIAX fibres are present in the gluteus medius of untrained horses, suggesting that equine type II fibres have probably been misclassified in numerous previous publications based on the use of histochemistry alone. This has important implications in attempts to study the physiological properties of fast fibre types adequately in horses.
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Publication Date: 1999-07-01 PubMed ID: 10386774PubMed Central: PMC1467936DOI: 10.1046/j.1469-7580.1999.19430363.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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  • 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 article investigates the muscle fibre distribution in the gluteus medius muscle of untrained horses, and finds mismatches between the fibre types identified by two different analysis techniques.

Objective and Methodology

  • The objective of the study was to examine the distribution and types of the muscle fibres in the gluteus medius muscle of untrained horses. This was done based on the presence of different myosin heavy chain (MHC) isoforms, which are proteins found in muscle fibres. The MHC isoforms served as markers of muscle fibre types.
  • Two analysis techniques were used: immunohistochemistry (using anti-MHC monoclonal antibodies) and myofibrillar ATPase (mATPase) histochemistry. Immunohistochemistry involves the use of antibodies to visualize proteins, while mATPase histochemistry is a method used to identify different types of muscle fibres based on their mATPase activity.
  • Percutaneous needle biopsies were taken from three different depths of the muscle from four untrained adult Andalusian stallions. Each layer of the muscle was profiled separately to observe the distribution and types of muscle fibres in different parts of the muscle.

Main Findings

  • The percentage of ‘pure’ type I MHC fibres increased with depth from the superficial to the deepest layers of the muscle, while that of pure type IIX MHC fibres decreased.
  • Within the fast fibre types (types IIA and IIAX), fibres were more abundant in the deepest layers of the muscle than in the superficial layers.
  • When characterizing a large number of single fibres, a significant mismatch was observed between the two analysis techniques. While 40% of the fibres correctly matched in their classification by the two techniques, a considerable proportion of the fast fibres showed a mismatch. These mismatched fibres displayed co-expression of both fast MHC types when analyzed by immunocytochemistry but showed an mATPase profile similar to typical IIX fibres.
  • The total mismatched fibres represented only 4.2% of the entire fast fibre population in the superficial region of the muscle. However, this proportion increased significantly to 15.6% and 38.4% in the middle and deep regions, respectively.

Conclusions

  • The study concludes that a significant number of hybrid fast MHC IIAX fibres are present in the gluteus medius muscle of untrained horses.
  • This finding suggests that equine type II fibres may have been misclassified in previous research published, which relied solely on mATPase histochemistry for classification.

Implications

  • This research has significant implications for the study of the physiological properties of fast fibre types in horses, as accurate classification is necessary for understanding muscle function and performance.
  • The mismatch observed between the two analysis techniques calls for further research to validate and improve muscle fibre type classification methods.

Cite This Article

APA
Linnane L, Serrano AL, Rivero JL. (1999). Distribution of fast myosin heavy chain-based muscle fibres in the gluteus medius of untrained horses: mismatch between antigenic and ATPase determinants. J Anat, 194 ( Pt 3)(Pt 3), 363-372. https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1469-7580.1999.19430363.x

Publication

Journal of anatomy
ISSN: 0021-8782
NlmUniqueID: 0137162
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 194 ( Pt 3)
Issue: Pt 3
Pages: 363-372

Researcher Affiliations

Linnane, L
  • Department of Equine Science, Hartpury College, UK.
Serrano, A L
    Rivero, J L

      MeSH Terms

      • Animals
      • Epitopes / analysis
      • Histocytochemistry
      • Horses / anatomy & histology
      • Immunohistochemistry
      • Male
      • Muscle Fibers, Fast-Twitch / chemistry
      • Muscle Fibers, Fast-Twitch / cytology
      • Muscle Fibers, Slow-Twitch / chemistry
      • Muscle Fibers, Slow-Twitch / cytology
      • Muscle, Skeletal / chemistry
      • Muscle, Skeletal / cytology
      • Myosins / analysis
      • Physical Conditioning, Animal
      • Protein Isoforms / analysis

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      Citations

      This article has been cited 6 times.
      1. Petersen JL, Valberg SJ, Mickelson JR, McCue ME. Haplotype diversity in the equine myostatin gene with focus on variants associated with race distance propensity and muscle fiber type proportions. Anim Genet 2014 Dec;45(6):827-35.
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      4. Sutherland H, Salmons S, Ramnarine IR, Capoccia M, Walsh AA, Jarvis JC. Adaptive conditioning of skeletal muscle in a large animal model (Sus domesticus). J Anat 2006 Aug;209(2):165-77.
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      5. Gondim FJ, Modolo LV, Campos GE, Salgado I. Neuronal nitric oxide synthase is heterogeneously distributed in equine myofibers and highly expressed in endurance trained horses. Can J Vet Res 2005 Jan;69(1):46-52.
        pubmed: 15745222
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