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Journal of muscle research and cell motility2000; 21(3); 235-245; doi: 10.1023/a:1005642632711

Myosin heavy chain profile of equine gluteus medius muscle following prolonged draught-exercise training and detraining.

Abstract: Fourteen 4-year old Andalusian mares were used to examine the plasticity of myosin heavy chain (MHC) composition in horse skeletal muscle with heavy draught-exercise training and detraining. Seven horses underwent a training programme based on carriage exercises for 8 months. Afterwards, they were kept in paddocks for 3 months. The remaining seven animals were used as control horses. Three gluteus medius muscle biopsies were removed at depths of 20, 40 and 60 mm from each horse before (month 0), during the training (months 3 and 8) and after detraining (month 11). Myosin heavy chain composition was analysed by electrophoresis and immunohistochemically with anti-MHC monoclonal antibodies. Fibre areas, oxidative capacity and capillaries were studied histochemically. After 8 months of training, MHC-IIX and IIX fibres decreased whereas MHC-I and type I and I + IIA fibres increased. Neither MHC-IIA nor the percentage of IIA fibres changed when the data were considered as a whole, but the proportion of MHC-IIA increased in the superficial region of the muscle after 8 months of training. Mean areas of type II fibres were not affected by training and detraining, but the cross-sectional of type I fibres increased after 3 month of training and not further increases were recorded afterward. The percentage of high-oxidative capacity fibres and the number of capillaries per mm2 increased with training. Most of these muscular adaptations reverted after detraining. These results indicate that long term draught-exercise training induces a reversible transition of MHC composition in equine muscle in the order IIX --> IIA --> I. The physiological implication of these changes is an impact on the velocity of shortening and fatigue resistance of muscle fibres.
Publication Date: 2000-08-22 PubMed ID: 10952171DOI: 10.1023/a:1005642632711Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article

Summary

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The research studies the impact of long-term heavy exercise and subsequent inactivity on the muscle fibers of young horses, particularly focusing on myosin heavy chain (MHC) composition. The study reveals that harder workouts led to changes in muscle fiber types, an increase in oxygen capacity of certain fibers, and a greater number of capillaries but these adaptations reverted when the horses reverted to inactivity.

Methodology and Research Design

  • The study was conducted on fourteen 4-year old Andalusian mares.
  • Seven of the horses were subjected to an 8-month training programme focusing on carriage exercises, followed by a period of detraining, wherein they were kept in paddocks for 3 months.
  • The remaining seven horses were untrained and acted as a control group.
  • Three muscle biopsies were extracted from each horse before, during, and after the exercise regimen. The MHC composition was analyzed in these samples.
  • The research team also conducted histochemical examinations to study fiber areas, oxidative capacity, and capillaries.

Findings and Results

  • The study found that after 8 months of training, MHC-IIX and IIX fibers decreased while MHC-I and type I and I + IIA fibers increased.
  • However, the proportion of MHC-IIA increased in the superficial region of the muscle after 8 months of training.
  • The cross-sectional of type I fibers increased after 3 months of training, but no further increases were recorded afterward.
  • Training led to an increase in the percentage of high-oxidative capacity fibers and the number of capillaries per square millimeter, indicating significant muscular adaptations.
  • Most of these muscular adaptations were found to be reversible after a period of detraining.

Implications and Conclusion

  • The study concludes that long-term draught-exercise training induces a reversible transition of MHC composition in equine muscle.
  • The physiological implication of these changes is an impact on the velocity of shortening and fatigue resistance of muscle fibers, possibly leading to improved performance during the training period.
  • However, the reversal of these adaptations upon detraining points out the importance of consistent training to maintain these muscle changes.

Cite This Article

APA
Serrano AL, Rivero JL. (2000). Myosin heavy chain profile of equine gluteus medius muscle following prolonged draught-exercise training and detraining. J Muscle Res Cell Motil, 21(3), 235-245. https://doi.org/10.1023/a:1005642632711

Publication

ISSN: 0142-4319
NlmUniqueID: 8006298
Country: Netherlands
Language: English
Volume: 21
Issue: 3
Pages: 235-245

Researcher Affiliations

Serrano, A L
  • Department of Comparative Anatomy and Pathological Anatomy, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Cordoba, Spain.
Rivero, J L

    MeSH Terms

    • Animals
    • Horses
    • Immunohistochemistry
    • Muscle Contraction / physiology
    • Muscle, Skeletal / physiology
    • Myosin Heavy Chains / physiology
    • Physical Conditioning, Animal / physiology
    • Time Factors

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    Citations

    This article has been cited 4 times.
    1. Lee HY, Kim JY, Kim KH, Jeong S, Cho Y, Kim N. Gene Expression Profile in Similar Tissues Using Transcriptome Sequencing Data of Whole-Body Horse Skeletal Muscle.. Genes (Basel) 2020 Nov 17;11(11).
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