[Histochemical and morphometric study of the fibrillar population of the diaphragm muscle. II. Cow and pig]

Abstract

M-ATPase techniques, at different pH levels prior to incubation, as well as metabolic procedures (alpha-MGPDH and NADH-TR), were used to determine the fibre-type content of the lumbar and costal portions in the bovine and porcine diaphragm. The fibre samples were exposed to image analysis in order to evaluate both the morphometrical and statistical values. On the basis of staining reactions, the fibre types IA, IB and IIC were found in the lumbar portion of the bovine diaphragm; in the costal portion of the same diaphragm, IA, IB, IIA and IIC fibre types were observed. With regard to the porcine diaphragm, the I, IIA, IIB, IIC fibre types were present in both portions of the muscle. Further morphometrical and statistical data concerning all the fibre types are obtained and discussed.