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Home / Equine Research Bank / J Anat / Variability of muscle fibre composition and fibre size in th...
Journal of anatomy1992; 181 ( Pt 1)(Pt 1); 1-10;

Variability of muscle fibre composition and fibre size in the horse gluteus medius: an enzyme-histochemical and morphometric study.

Abstract: To determine the variability in fibre types and fibre sizes in the equine gluteus medius muscle, biopsy specimens were removed from 5 sites, at 4 different depths, within the right and left muscles of 3 Andalusian stallions. The percentage, lesser fibre diameter and cross-sectional area of the various fibre types were measured systematically in myosin ATPase and NADH-tetrazolium reductase-stained, serial cryostat sections of these multiple samples. Significant differences in muscle fibre type composition were recorded, with a lower percentage of type I fibres (high myosin ATPase activity at pH 4.5) being observed towards superficial regions of the muscle and a greater percentage towards the deep areas. Type II B fibres (moderate myosin ATPase activity at pH 4.5), including both II B nonoxidative (low NADH-TR activity) and II B oxidative (moderate NADH-TR activity), displayed the opposite tendency, and the percentage of type II A fibres (low myosin ATPase activity at pH 4.5) did not change with depth. Types I and II A fibres in the deep regions were larger than superficially, whereas the II B fibres in the deep regions were smaller than in the superficial parts of the muscle. The results also imply that type I fibres tend to be larger than type II fibres in the deep regions. The size of type I fibres is more homogeneous in the deep parts than in the superficial regions of the muscle, while II B fibres vary more in size in the peripheral portions than in deep regions. A single biopsy taken from the gluteus medius muscle of the horse is therefore a poor representative of the whole muscle and care should be exercised in sampling and interpreting data obtained from limited biopsy of this muscle. The pattern of variation in fibre types and fibre sizes between the different depths of the muscle probably reflect different functional demands on the gluteus medius muscle.
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Publication Date: 1992-08-01 PubMed ID: 1284127PubMed Central: PMC1259747
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  • Journal Article
  • Research Support
  • Non-U.S. Gov't

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 investigates the variation in fibre types and sizes in the horse’s gluteus medius muscle, finding significant differences based on depth and location. The results suggest that a single biopsy may not adequately represent the whole muscle, highlighting the need for careful sampling and interpretation of this muscle in future studies.

Research Methodology

  • Biopsy samples were taken from five different sites and four different depths of the gluteus medius muscle in three Andalusian stallions.
  • The samples were stained with two different enzymes for observation under a microscope.
  • Measurements were taken for each sample, examining the percentage, lesser fibre diameter, and cross-sectional area of the various fibre types.

Key Findings

  • Significant variations were found in muscle fibre type compositions. Specifically, type I fibres, which have high myosin ATPase activity, were found less in superficial regions and more in deep areas.
  • Type II B fibres, characterised by moderate myosin ATPase activity, showed the reverse pattern. The proportion of type II A fibres, characterised by low myosin ATPase activity, remained consistent across different depths.
  • Fibre sizes also varied considerably. Type I and II A fibres were larger in deeper regions, while II B fibres were smaller compared to those found in superficial areas. This observation implies that type I fibres tend to be larger than type II fibres in deep regions of the muscle.
  • The size homogeneity of type I fibres was higher in the deeper parts of the muscle, while type II B fibres displayed more size variations in the superficial regions.

Implications

  • The findings suggest that a single biopsy may not accurately represent the muscle’s overall fibre type and size distribution.
  • To accurately assess the muscle, researchers suggest exercising caution when sampling and interpreting data obtained from a limited biopsy.
  • The variations in muscle fibre types and sizes likely reflect distinct functional demands on different parts of the gluteus medius muscle.

Cite This Article

APA
López-Rivero JL, Serrano AL, Diz AM, Galisteo AM. (1992). Variability of muscle fibre composition and fibre size in the horse gluteus medius: an enzyme-histochemical and morphometric study. J Anat, 181 ( Pt 1)(Pt 1), 1-10.

Publication

Journal of anatomy
ISSN: 0021-8782
NlmUniqueID: 0137162
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 181 ( Pt 1)
Issue: Pt 1
Pages: 1-10

Researcher Affiliations

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

        MeSH Terms

        • Animals
        • Histocytochemistry
        • Horses / anatomy & histology
        • Male
        • Muscles / anatomy & histology
        • Muscles / enzymology
        • Myosins / metabolism
        • NADH Tetrazolium Reductase / metabolism
        • Staining and Labeling

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        Citations

        This article has been cited 9 times.
        1. Klein DJ, McKeever KH, Mirek ET, Anthony TG. Metabolomic Response of Equine Skeletal Muscle to Acute Fatiguing Exercise and Training. Front Physiol 2020;11:110.
          doi: 10.3389/fphys.2020.00110pubmed: 32132934google scholar: lookup
        2. Chanda M, Srikuea R, Cherdchutam W, Chairoungdua A, Piyachaturawat P. Modulating effects of exercise training regimen on skeletal muscle properties in female polo ponies. BMC Vet Res 2016 Nov 4;12(1):245.
          doi: 10.1186/s12917-016-0874-6pubmed: 27809906google scholar: lookup
        3. Wagner AL, Urschel KL, Lefta M, Esser KA. Effect of gluteus medius muscle sample collection depth on postprandial mammalian target of rapamycin signaling in mature Thoroughbred mares. Am J Vet Res 2013 Jun;74(6):910-7.
          doi: 10.2460/ajvr.74.6.910pubmed: 23718660google scholar: lookup
        4. Graziotti GH, Chamizo VE, Ríos C, Acevedo LM, Rodríguez-Menéndez JM, Victorica C, Rivero JL. Adaptive functional specialisation of architectural design and fibre type characteristics in agonist shoulder flexor muscles of the llama, Lama glama. J Anat 2012 Aug;221(2):151-63.
          doi: 10.1111/j.1469-7580.2012.01520.xpubmed: 22625659google scholar: lookup
        5. Payne RC, Hutchinson JR, Robilliard JJ, Smith NC, Wilson AM. Functional specialisation of pelvic limb anatomy in horses (Equus caballus). J Anat 2005 Jun;206(6):557-74.
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        6. Serrano AL, Pérez M, Lucía A, Chicharro JL, Quiroz-Rothe E, Rivero JL. Immunolabelling, histochemistry and in situ hybridisation in human skeletal muscle fibres to detect myosin heavy chain expression at the protein and mRNA level. J Anat 2001 Sep;199(Pt 3):329-37.
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        7. Serrano AL, Rivero JL. Myosin heavy chain profile of equine gluteus medius muscle following prolonged draught-exercise training and detraining. J Muscle Res Cell Motil 2000 Apr;21(3):235-45.
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