Insights into the skeletal muscle characteristics of three southern African antelope species.

Tertius Abraham Kohn

doi:10.1242/bio.20149241

Abstract

ABSTRACTSkeletal muscle fibre type, cross-sectional area (CSA), maximum enzyme capacities and fibre oxidative capacities were investigated in three southern African antelope species. Muscle samples from blesbok (Damaliscus pygargus phillipsi), mountain reedbuck (Redunca fulvorufula) and greater kudu (Tragelaphus strepsiceros) were collected post mortem from the Vastus lateralis and analysed for myosin heavy chain (MHC) isoform content, citrate synthase (CS), 3-hydroxyacyl Co A dehydrogenase (3-HAD), phosphofructokinase (PFK), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and creatine kinase (CK) activities. Histochemistry and immunohistochemistry were performed to determine relative fibre oxidative capacity, fibre type and cross-sectional area (CSA). Type IIX fibres were the most abundant fibre type in all three species, ranging from 43 to 57%. Kudu had less type IIX fibres than mountain reedbuck and blesbok (P<0.05), values confirmed by their respective MHC isoform content. Blesbok had the smallest fibres, followed by mountain reedbuck and finally kudu (P<0.001). Overall, all three species had high oxidative and glycolytic capacities, but species differences were found. Kudu had the lowest CS activity, followed by blesbok and mountain reedbuck, but the highest PFK, LDH and CK activities. This study confirmed large variation in oxidative capacities within a single fibre type, as well as overlap between the fibre types with no distinct differences between the three species. The fibre type profile of each species is discussed and confirms some of their physical attributes and capabilities.

Highlights

There are more than 5 000 wild mammalian species in the world, yet very little is known about their skeletal muscle properties and function
As a continuation to better understand skeletal muscle, we present data on three antelope species, each indigenous to southern Africa, namely the mountain reedbuck (Redunca fulvorufula – Afzelius 1815), blesbok (Damaliscus pygargus phillipsi – Pallas 1767) and greater kudu (Tragelaphus strepsiceros – Pallas 1766)
Three bands could be identified for human, with the top band corresponding to myosin heavy chain (MHC) IIx, the middle to MHC IIa and the bottom band, MHC I

Summary

Introduction

There are more than 5 000 wild mammalian species in the world, yet very little is known about their skeletal muscle properties and function. Most of the current data on skeletal muscle are derived from the study of domesticated animals (rodents, cats, dogs, pigs, horses), frogs and humans. These comparative studies have greatly advanced our understanding of muscle function with regards to strength, endurance capacity and overall sporting performance. UCT/MRC Research Unit for Exercise Science and Sports Medicine, Department of Human Biology, PO Box 115, Newlands 7725, South Africa. Received 20 June 2014; Accepted 22 September 2014 limited Studying these natural occurring athletes (wild animals) can assist us to better understand muscle physiology in the context of genetics, metabolism and structure

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Conclusion