Glycolytic Intermediates and Co‐Factors in “Fast‐” and “Slow‐Glycolyzing” Muscles of the Pig

Abstract

SUMMARY— The Longissimus dorsi muscles from Chester White, Hampshire and Poland China animals were used to establish certain differences in metabolic intermediate patterns between muscles with “fast” and “slow” rates of post‐mortem glycolysis. Metabolic intermediate patterns were consistent with the concept that phosphorylase is the primary control site of postmortem glycolysis. Adenine nucleotide levels appeared to be the primary regulatory factors for phosphorylase. The phosphofructokinase and pyruvate kinase enzymes were also involved in post‐mortem glycolytic control. Levels of high‐energy intermediates (adenosine triphosphate, phosphocreatine and pyridine nucleotides) were much higher in the “O” hr samples of “slow‐glycolyzing” muscles than in similar samples from muscles having “fast” rates of post‐mortem glycolysis. No significant differences in levels of lactate or glucose were observed among these three groups in blood samples taken either at or 24 hr prior to the time of exsanguination.