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Comparative biochemistry and physiology. A, Comparative physiology1990; 96(1); 195-197; doi: 10.1016/0300-9629(90)90064-y

Effect of breed of horse on muscle carnosine concentration.

Abstract: 1. Muscle samples from the M. gluteus medius were obtained from six Quarter Horses (QH), six Thoroughbreds (TB), and five Standardbreds (SB) to determine carnosine values and fiber type percentages. 2. Muscle biopsies were for fiber type percentages and carnosine concentration. 3. QH had a lower percentage of slow twitch oxidative fibers and a higher percentage of past twitch glycolytic fibers than SB or TB. 4. Fast twitch oxidative-glycolytic fibers were lowest in the QH. 5. The QH had mean carnosine values significantly greater (P less than 0.01) than the mean values for SB and TB. 6. Across breeds muscle carnosine concentration was positively correlated (P less than 0.05; r = 0.53) with fast twitch glycolytic fiber percentage and negatively correlated (P less than 0.05, r = -0.51) with fast twitch oxidative fiber percentage. 7. Free intramuscular carnosine is believed to function as an intracellular buffer. Since carnosine was highest in the muscle of horses with the greatest percentage of fast twitch glycolytic fibers, these data are consistent with the proposed function of this dipeptide.
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Publication Date: 1990-01-01 PubMed ID: 1975537DOI: 10.1016/0300-9629(90)90064-yGoogle 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 study focuses on examining the impact of horse breeds on muscle carnosine concentration, primarily focusing on three dominant breeds (Quarter Horses, Thoroughbreds, and Standardbreds). It reveals that Quarter Horses, despite having a lower percentage of certain muscle fiber types, exhibited higher average carnosine values.

Research Methodology

  • Researchers acquired muscle samples from three different horse breeds including six Quarter Horses (QH), six Thoroughbreds (TB), and five Standardbreds (SB).
  • The samples were taken from the M. gluteus medius muscle of the horses and analyzed for carnosine concentrations and muscle fiber ratios.
  • Two key fiber types were focused upon in the study – slow twitch oxidative fibers and fast twitch glycolytic fibers.

Findings

  • The study’s findings indicated distinctive differences in carnosine levels and muscle fiber percentages between the different horse breeds.
  • It was observed that Quarter Horses had a lower percentage of slow twitch oxidative fibers and a higher percentage of fast twitch glycolytic fibers compared to Thoroughbreds and Standardbreds.
  • Moreover, the percentage of fast twitch oxidative-glycolytic fibers were the lowest in Quarter Horses.
  • Despite these variations, Quarter Horses had significantly higher mean carnosine values than both Thoroughbreds and Standardbreds.

Implications

  • The positive correlation between muscle carnosine concentration and percentage of fast twitch glycolytic fibers across the horse breeds supports the theory that intramuscular carnosine functions as an intracellular buffer.
  • This further suggests that horses with higher percentages of fast twitch glycolytic fibers, such as Quarter Horses, would naturally have higher carnosine concentrations due to these buffering properties.
  • However, the study noted a negative correlation between muscle carnosine concentration and fast twitch oxidative fiber percentage across the breeds, which further strengthens the proposed function of carnosine in the study.

This study highlights the variances in muscle composition and their impacts on carnosine concentration between different horse breeds, potentially affecting their performance and physical capabilities.

Cite This Article

APA
Bump KD, Lawrence LM, Moser LR, Miller-Graber PA, Kurcz EV. (1990). Effect of breed of horse on muscle carnosine concentration. Comp Biochem Physiol A Comp Physiol, 96(1), 195-197. https://doi.org/10.1016/0300-9629(90)90064-y

Publication

Comparative biochemistry and physiology. A, Comparative physiology
ISSN: 0300-9629
NlmUniqueID: 1276312
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 96
Issue: 1
Pages: 195-197

Researcher Affiliations

Bump, K D
  • Department of Animal Sciences, University of Illinois, Urbana 61801.
Lawrence, L M
    Moser, L R
      Miller-Graber, P A
        Kurcz, E V

          MeSH Terms

          • Animals
          • Carnosine / metabolism
          • Dipeptides / metabolism
          • Female
          • Horses / metabolism
          • Male
          • Muscles / metabolism
          • Species Specificity

          Citations

          This article has been cited 2 times.
          1. Culbertson JY, Kreider RB, Greenwood M, Cooke M. Effects of beta-alanine on muscle carnosine and exercise performance: a review of the current literature. Nutrients 2010 Jan;2(1):75-98.
            doi: 10.3390/n‐075pubmed: 22253993google scholar: lookup
          2. Sewell DA, Harris RC, Marlin DJ, Dunnett M. Estimation of the carnosine content of different fibre types in the middle gluteal muscle of the thoroughbred horse. J Physiol 1992 Sep;455:447-53.
            doi: 10.1113/jphysiol.1992.sp019310pubmed: 1484359google scholar: lookup
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