Comparison of M.Semitendinosus Morphometry and Structure in Gilts and Barrows at Market Age

İvana Božičković ,Ivana Nešić,D Vitorović ,Slavoljub Jović ,Blagojević Miloš ,Marija Zdravković ,Zlata Brkić

doi:10.1515/acve-2016-0011

İvana Božičković , Ivana Nešić + Show 5 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1515/acve-2016-0011

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Abstract

Abstract The aim of this paper was to investigate the differences in morphometric characteristics and histological structure of m. semitendinosus, between gilts and barrows of German Landrace breed at the end of the fattening period. Morphometric characteristics (weight, length, diameter and cross sectional area) of m. semitendinosus were not significantly different, while gender as a factor influenced the histological properties of this muscle. A very high statistical difference (p<0.01) in the total number of muscle fibers in m. semitendinosus was determined, with gilts having a higher total fiber number. The cross sectional area of fast twitch oxidative (FTO) fibers was significantly higher (p<0.05) in barrows. Gender did not affect the distribution of different fiber types: in both gender, the most present fiber types (48-52 %) were fast twitch glycolitic (FTG), FTO fibers represented 27-30 % of the total fiber number, while slow twitch oxidative fibers (STO) were the least represented (≈ 20 %).

Highlights

Skeletal muscles of adult pigs consist of different types of muscle fibers
The aim of this paper was to investigate the differences in morphometric characteristics and histological structure of m. semitendinosus, between gilts and barrows of German Landrace breed at the end of the fattening period
Gender did not affect the distribution of different fiber types: in both gender, the most present fiber types (48-52 %) were fast twitch glycolitic (FTG), fast twitch oxidative (FTO) fibers represented 27-30 % of the total fiber number, while slow twitch oxidative fibers (STO) were the least represented (≈ 20 %)

Summary

INTRODUCTION

Based on ATPase activity, speed of contraction, color and type of metabolism three muscle fiber types could be defined: red, slow twitch oxidative (STO); red, fast twitch oxidative (FTO) and white, fast twitch oxidative (FTG) [1]. The distribution of these fiber types differs in skeletal muscles of the same individual [2,3]. Semitendinosus morphometry and structure in gilts and barrows at market age distribution of different muscle fiber types. The aim of this study was to investigate the differences in structure of m. semitendinosus, both morphometrical (weight, length, diameter and cross sectional area) and histological properties (total number of fibers, fiber diameter, distribution of muscle fiber types) of m. semitendinosus, between gilts and barrows of German Landrace breed at the end of fattening

MATERIAL AND METHODS

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

13. Romeis B