Histochemical development of myofibres in neonatal piglets

Res Vet Sci. 1975 May;18(3):253-7.

Abstract

The periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) reaction and tests for glycogen phosphorylase, oxidative enzymes and acid-stable and alkali-stable adenosine triphophatase (ATPase) were used to determine the degree of histochemical differentiation between myofibres of sartorius muscles from neonatal piglets. Within 24 h of birth, the ratio of myofibres with acid-stable ATPase to those with acid-labile ATPase was 1:21-0. By 10 days the ratio had changed to 1:5-2. Mean minimum myofibre diameters (all histochemical types combined) increased steadily after birth although diameters of myofibres with acid-stable ATPase showed no increase until 6 days. By 10 days, consistent differentiation was observed with the alkali-stable ATPase and glycogen phosphorylase reactions but not with the PAS reaction. During the 10 day neonatal period, all types of myofibres contained large or moderate numbers of mitochondria.

MeSH terms

  • Adenosine Triphosphatases / metabolism
  • Animals
  • Animals, Newborn / growth & development*
  • Animals, Newborn / metabolism
  • Histocytochemistry
  • Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
  • Mitochondria / enzymology
  • Muscle Development
  • Muscles / enzymology
  • Muscles / metabolism*
  • NADH Tetrazolium Reductase / metabolism
  • Phosphorylases / metabolism
  • Reticulin / metabolism
  • Swine / growth & development*
  • Swine / metabolism

Substances

  • Reticulin
  • NADH Tetrazolium Reductase
  • Phosphorylases
  • Adenosine Triphosphatases