Equine muscle fiber types: A histological and histochemical analysis of select thoroughbred yearlings

Barlow, David; Lloyd, Judith M.; Hellhake, Paul; Seder, Jeffrey A.

doi:10.1016/s0737-0806(84)80083-0

Cited by 11 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 12 publications

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“…This result is consistent with previous findings in Thoroughbreds and Quarter Horses that were successful in racing (Barlow et al 1984;Wood et al 1988). This result is consistent with previous findings in Thoroughbreds and Quarter Horses that were successful in racing (Barlow et al 1984;Wood et al 1988).…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 93%

“…A significant relationship between the muscle fibre-type composition and success in competition has been observed in gallop (Barlow et al 1984;Wood et al 1988) and in endurance racing (Rivero 1996), but not in harness racing (Ronhs et al 1993). However, it is difficult to measure the appropriate traits that could be both heritable and related to performance in competition.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Heritability of percentage of fast myosin heavy chains in skeletal muscles and relationship with performance

Barrey

Valette

Jouglin

et al. 1999

Equine Veterinary Journal

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Summary The purpose of this study was to determine the percentage of fast myosin heavy chains (fast MHCs = MHC 2A+2B) in 2 propelling muscles to estimate the heritability and to identify any relationship with performance. The gluteus medius and the biceps femoris muscles were biopsied in 100 related French Anglo‐Arabian horses. The percentages of slow and fast myosin heavy chains were measured using an ELISA technique. The heritability (s.e.) of the fast MHCs percentage was estimated at 13% (0.1) using a restricted maximum likelihood resolution of a mixed animal model. There were significant (P<.05) correlations between the performance level and the fast MHCs percentage of the gluteus medius and biceps femoris muscles: 0.47 and 0.34 respectively. An analysis of variance revealed a significant (P<.05) effect of performance level in gallop racing and show jumping on the fast MHCs percentage of the gluteus medius muscle. The good performers in gallop racing (75.5>69.6% fast MHCs) and show jumping (74.1>67.8% fast MHCs) had a higher percentage of fast MHCs in the gluteus medius than poor performers (P<.05). This muscular analysis could be one of the interesting physiological traits to measure for early selection of gallop racing and show jumping horses.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 93%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Heritability of percentage of fast myosin heavy chains in skeletal muscles and relationship with performance

Barrey

Valette

Jouglin

et al. 1999

Equine Veterinary Journal

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“…The apparent breed difference in aerobic and anaerobic capacity may, in part, reflect breed variation in muscle fibre types and the muscle concentrations and activities of enzymes involved in glycolysis, such as LDH and phosphofructokinase. It has been reported that there is a significant relationship between muscle fibre composition and success in competition in both endurance racing (Rivero 1996) and in racing Thoroughbreds (Barlow et al 1984). Although fibre type was not investigated in this study, and the horses used were not elite athletes, there is perhaps sufficient data available on both breeds to explain some of the findings as it is likely that the basic breed differences would have been present even if there was some individual variability.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 85%

Comparison of the metabolic responses of trained Arabians and Thoroughbreds during high‐ and low‐intensity exercise

Prince

Geor

Harris³

et al. 2002

Equine Veterinary Journal

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In order to compare the metabolic responses to exercise in 2 similarly managed breeds of horses, 5 Arabian (AR) and 5 Thoroughbred (TB) horses, fed an identical diet with a similar diet and exercise training programme for the 2 preceding months, undertook 3 treadmill (3 degree incline) trials with a minimum of 7 days between tests: 1) an incremental test (MAX) for determination of aerobic capacity, V(LA4) and lactate threshold (LT; the percentage of VO2max when plasma lactate = 4 mmol/l); 2) a single high-speed exercise test (SPR) at 115% VO2max for estimation of maximal accumulated oxygen deficit (MAOD) and 3) a 90 min test at 35% VO2max (LO). VO2max (P<0.001) and running speed (P<0.05) at VO2max were higher in TB (mean +/- s.e. 154 +/- 3 ml/kg/min at 12.9 +/- 0.5 m/s) than in AR (129 +/- 2.5 ml/kg/min at 11.8 +/- 0.2 m/s). Total run time during MAX was greater (P<0.05) in TB (10.5 +/- 0.5 min) than in AR (93 +/- 0.3 min). However, V(LA4) and LT were not different between groups. Run time during SPR (TB 149 +/- 16; AR 109 +/- 11 s) and MAOD (TB 88 +/- 4; AR 70 +/- 6 ml O2/kg) were higher (P<0.05) in the TB group. During LO, FFA were higher (P<0.05) and the respiratory exchange ratio (RER) lower (P<0.05) in AR than in TB between 60 and 90 min, of exercise, indicating a greater use of fat for energy. These metabolic differences may reflect breed variation in muscle fibre types. However, further studies are needed to determine the mechanisms underlying the apparent breed differences in energy metabolism during exercise.

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“…For example, Arabian horses, known to have high endurance capacities, have in their locomotory muscles a greater percentage of type I fibres than Thoroughbreds horses, known to be sprinters 14 . On the contrary, performances requiring short duration, high-intensity exercise are correlated with high percentages of type II fibres 100,[102][103][104] . Among endurance horses, the better performers have higher percentages of type I and IIA fibres, larger type I and IIA fibres, higher activities of oxidative enzymes, higher lipid oxidation capacity and lower percentages of type IIX fibres 27,101 .…”

Section: Muscle Responses To Exercisesmentioning

confidence: 97%

Muscle energetics in exercising horses

Votion

Navet

Lacombe

et al. 2007

Equine Comp. Exerc. Physiol.

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An optimally functional musculoskeletal system is crucial for athletic performance and even minor perturbations can limit athletic ability. The introduction of the muscle biopsy technique in the 1970s created a window of opportunity to examine the form and function of equine skeletal muscle. Muscle histochemical and biochemical analyses have allowed characterization of the properties of equine muscle fibres and their influence on, and adaptation to, physical exertion. Analyses of exercise responses during standardized treadmill exercise and field studies have illustrated the role of cellular energetics in determining athletic suitability for specific disciplines, mechanisms of fatigue, adaptations to training and the affect of diet on metabolic responses. This article provides a review of the tools available to study muscle energetics in the horse, discusses the muscular metabolic pathways and summarizes the energetics of exercise.qualitative assessment of the effects of exercise, training and dietary manipulation on substrate metabolism at the level of the muscle and the whole body. Muscle biopsy techniqueThe percutaneous needle muscle biopsy technique was introduced to equine research by Lindholm and Piehl 4 as well as by Snow and Guy 5 . Since that time, it has proved to be an invaluable tool in defining the histological, histochemical and biochemical properties of equine skeletal muscle. Standardization of the site of the muscle biopsy is imperative because equine skeletal muscles have a heterogeneous distribution of muscle fibre types within the muscle 6 . Deeper regions within locomotory muscles have contractile and metabolic characteristics similar to those of postural muscles 7-9 . In addition, fibre types vary among different muscles in the same horses as well as across horses and breeds [10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17] . The selection of the specific muscle to biopsy therefore is of critical importance and will depend on its propulsive or postural role. Many studies of equine athletes utilize the gluteus medius muscle or the semitendinosus muscle because of its importance in locomotion and demonstrated metabolic adaptations to exercise and training [18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26] . Other investigators have also used the triceps brachii, along with the masseter 26 (as a non-exercise muscle control sample site).When sampling site and depth are consistent and potentially involve several sites 21,23,24,27 , repeatable results are obtained 28 . Muscle biopsy has provided a wealth of information regarding the histochemical, biochemical and metabolic properties of various muscles within the same horse 9,29,30 , between horses 11 and breeds 15,21 as well as responses to exercise 25,31,32 . A detailed review of the technique for performing percutaneous needle muscle biopsy and sample preparation can be obtained elsewhere [3][4][5]21,22,33 .

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Equine muscle fiber types: A histological and histochemical analysis of select thoroughbred yearlings

Cited by 11 publications

References 12 publications

Heritability of percentage of fast myosin heavy chains in skeletal muscles and relationship with performance

Heritability of percentage of fast myosin heavy chains in skeletal muscles and relationship with performance

Comparison of the metabolic responses of trained Arabians and Thoroughbreds during high‐ and low‐intensity exercise

Muscle energetics in exercising horses

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