Histological analysis of muscles of Landes geese

The aim of this study was histological and histochemical analyze of musculus pectoralis major (MPM) and musculus biceps femoris (MBF) of 12-weeks old Landes geese husbandry by sex from Hruboňovo (Czech Republic). The geese had live weight of 3979.0 g and the ganders had live weight of 4779.0 g. Higher α White fiber percentage representation of musculus pectoralis major and musculus biceps femoris of 12-weeks old Landes geese histological analyses we followed. Representation of sex identical MBF was 60.0% (gander) and 64.1% (geese) and MPM was 47.6% (ganders) and 51.1% (geese). The lowest α Red fibre percentage content in MPM was 6.7% (ganders) and 4.7% (geese) and β Red fiber in MBF was 10.7% (ganders) and 9.5% (geese). No statistically significant differences (P ≥ 0,05) among sex in the fat cells thickness of geese were found, but significant differences (P ≤ 0,01) was found in MBF fat cells between ganders (26.3 μm) and geese (21.9 μm). Highest thickness of α White fibre in muscles breast and femoral were found in both sex and lowest was found in β Red fibre. Muscles fibres thickness was higher femoral muscles in average (59.9 μm – ganders; 58.3 μm – geese) opposite breast muscles (47.7 μm – ganders, 44.9 μm – geese), what is the mean higher consistence of femoral muscles for consumer. In term of lowest musculus fiber thickness of Landes geese in average were 44.9 μm – MPM, 58.3 μm – MBF opposite of ganders 47.7 μm – MPM, 59.9 μm – MBF. Higher α White fibre representation was both muscles (51.1% – MPM, 64.1% – MBF). We recommended for experience used in­di­vi­dual rearing of male.

Histochemical characteristic of biceps femoris of Rhode Island Red and Greenleg Partridge hens

On one hundred and seventy four hens of two different breeds (Rhode Island Red and Greenleg Partridge) histochemical investigation of the m. biceps femoris were done. The histochemical results from this experiment have shown that genotype affected the percentage of the muscle fibres. The significantly higher percentage of red fibre, and a lower percentage of white fibre together with higher body weight in Rl 1 genotype can suggest an effect of higher mobile activity of Rl 1 on their muscle physiology. The size of red and white fibres did not show any statistically significant differences between both examined groups.

Cellularity changes in developing red and white fish muscle at different temperatures: simulating natural environmental conditions for a temperate freshwater cyprinid

SUMMARY Muscle cellularity patterns in teleost fish have normally been investigated using animals reared under constant temperature conditions. In the present study, Danube bleak (Chalcalburnus chalcoides mento) were reared under two different rising temperature regimes (cold, 12-16°C; warm,18-20°C) designed to mimic the natural conditions experienced by the fish in temperate freshwater environments. Samples were taken from both groups of animals at intervals during their development. Transverse sections at the level of the anal vent were examined using light and electron microscopy,histochemistry and immunohistochemistry techniques. Total cross-sectional area of red and white muscle, as well as fibre numbers and fibre cross-sectional areas of one epaxial quadrant per specimen, were measured. Analysis of fibre numbers and sizes indicated that white and red myotomal muscles each develop in a different manner. In white muscle, the initial growth phase is dominated by fibre hypertrophy, while the later larval growth phase also includes significant hyperplasia. Red muscle growth is mainly due to hypertrophy within the studied developmental period. The temperature regimes applied in the present study may modify the mechanisms of muscle growth in different ways. For white muscle, pre-hatching hyperplasia (i.e. proliferation of somitic white fibre precursor cells) is reduced under the cold regime whereas post-hatching hyperplasia is not. The inverse is true for white fibre hypertrophy. A similar situation is seen with red muscle except that post-hatching hyperplasia is low and refractory to temperature. Rates of increase in relative amount of red muscle appear to depend not only upon species and temperature but also upon whether the fish have been reared under changing or constant thermal regimes. These findings are discussed in relation to `landmark' events of early ontogeny (hatching, onset of swimming, start of exogeneous feeding) and to their implications for future accurate interpretation of temperature effects on teleost developmental biology and functional ecology.

Cashmere production from feral and imported cashmere goat kids

Cashmere production was evaluated on Scottish feral (F) goats, on goats imported from Iceland (I), Tasmania (T), New Zealand (N) and Siberia (S), and on two- and three-way crosses between feral and imported lines. Evaluations were based on the weight of cashmere in 10 cm2 mid-side patch samples taken at 5 months of age, with annual cashmere production being predicted from sample cashmere and body weights. Data were collected on 121 purebred and 706 crossbred kids of both sexes. Mean fibre diameter for the F, I, T, N and S lines was 13-75 (s.e. = 0.82), 14·04 (s.e. 0·41), 16·13 (s.e. 0·35), 16·63 (s.e. 0·49) and 17·97 (s.e. 0·50) μm, mean estimated annual cashmere production was 37·3 (s.e. 71·3), 914 (s.e. 31·7), 227·1 (s.e. 28·1), 275·1 (s.e. 42·5) and 579·8 (s.e. 44·7) g, and mean live weight was 15·71 (s.e. 2·16), 17·65 (s.e. 0·93), 16·39 (s.e. 0·83), 16·53 (s.e. 1·28) and 21·9 (s.e. 1·28) kg, respectively. Significant positive heterosis existed between some lines for body weight and cashmere production, with the I line goats consistently showing the largest effects. Combining fibre diameter and cashmere production by their relative economic importance into an index designed to indicate the total value of the fibre produced by each genotype, the cashmere production index, reduced the large production differences between the lines, although the S line was still superior to all other lines. When the cashmere production index was adjusted to account for the economic importance of fibre colour, however, the T and N lines, the only lines which produced white fibre, were comparable to the S line. The cashmere production index for the S line was very sensitive to changes in the relative economic weight for fibre diameter, and if the price differential for high quality (i.e. fine) fibre was increased by a factor of 1·36, or greater, then the T and N lines were superior to the S line. Three-way cross means were estimated from line means and heterosis effects. No cross was consistently superior to all other genotypes, but several of the crosses showed the advantages of potentially producing white fibre as well as having high cashmere production indexes, with their indexes being insensitive to changes in the relative economic weights. Future selection for cashmere production in this population should concentrate on individuals of outstanding genetic merit, regardless of their line or cross.

Metabolic Sources of Heat and Power in Tuna Muscles: I. Muscle Fine Structure

As part of an investigation into the generation of muscle heat in the tuna, the histochemistry and ultrastructure of the myotomal muscles were studied. Both red and white fibres are differentiated into two forms. The two forms of red muscle are very similar except for differential electron absorbance and different kinds of glycogen granules stored. In both forms, capillarity, mitochondrial numbers, and intracellular lipid droplets are abundant, implying the potential for a vigorous aerobic metabolism. During bursts of swimming, glycogen granules and intracellular lipid droplets are both largely depleted. The two types of white fibre differ in electron absorbance, pinocyotic activity, glycogen abundance, and insertion pattern, all of which are more pronounced in the ‘dense’ fibre form. Several features of tuna white muscle are unique or unusually developed. Thus, tuna muscle contains more glycogen than does red muscle. Glycogen granules may be randomly dispersed in myofibrillar or peripheral regions or may be sequestered in membrane-bound structures termed glycogen bodies. During short bursts of swimming, glycogen granules from all storage sites are mobilized. The white muscle has an ample capillary supply, small, but significant, amounts of intracellular lipid, and unusual numbers of mitochondria.