Histochemical analysis of skeletal muscles in normal and luxant rabbits

Authors

  • V. KULÍŠEK
  • P. P. HAŠČÍK
  • M. KAČÁNIOVÁ
  • M. FIKSELOVÁ
  • M. ODSTRČIL
  • J. RAFAY
  • V. PARKÁNYI

Keywords:

rabbit, luxant, muscle, histochemistry

Abstract

The objective of this work was to compare the structure of MTB (musculus triceps brachii), MLL (musculus longissimus lumborum) and MBF (musculus biceps femoris) muscles in normal and luxant rabbits of New Zealand White breed. Live weight of luxant rabbits at the age of 84 days was 1950 g, which was by 518 g less compared with normal rabbits (P<0.05). Average thickness of muscular fibers in MTB, MLL and MBF was balanced without statistical differences (P>0.05) in normal rabbits. The highest thickness of muscular fibers in luxant rabbits was for MTB (42.16 µm) and the lowest for MBF (37.66 µm) and this difference was significant (P<0.05). Total area of interstitial connective tissue in muscles of healthy rabbits was 6.82 %, and 6.52 % in luxant rabbits (P>0.05). In muscles of normal and luxant rabbits an area of α white fibers was prevailing. Luxant rabbits had the highest area representation of red fibers in MBF (16.66 %), and in normal animals it was 13.76 %; this difference was significant (P≤0.05). We registered giant fibers in muscles of healthy as well as luxant rabbits during subjective evaluation. These fibers were of oval form, enveloped in thicker layer of endomysium. They were located predominantly on the periphery of bundles, and with increased number created the fibers fascicles in the direction of centre of the bundle. These fibers were characterized by clear multiplication of nuclei, and their location is directed spiral-like from the periphery to the centre of the fibre. Bounds of fibre splitting were observed in places of nuclei grouping. Average thickness of giant fibers in muscles of healthy animals was 69.10 µm, and 76.00 µm in luxant animals, the difference 6.9 µm being statistically significant (P<0.05). Frequency of giant fibers in muscles of normal rabbits was 1:100, in luxant rabbits was found the highest frequency of these fibers in MBF from 1:10 up to 1:25. The lowest occurrence of giant fibers from 1:100 up to 1:120 was in MLL in both groups of studied rabbits. These results document that the average thickness of muscular fibers of the three studied muscles (MTB, MLL, MBF) in normal rabbits is very balanced, with the same tendency for thickness of red and α white fibers.

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Published

2009-03-31

Issue

Vol. 42 No. 1 (2009)

Section

Articles

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