Effect of breed of horse on muscle carnosine concentration

K. D. Bump, L. M. Lawrence, L. R. Moser, P. A. Miller-Graber, E. V. Kurcz

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

10 Scopus citations

Abstract

1. 1. Muscle samples from the M. gluteus médius were obtained from six Quarter Horses (QH), six Thoroughbreds (TB), and five Standardbreds (SB) to determine carnosine values and fiber type percentages. 2. 2. Muscle biopsies were for fiber type percentages and carnosine concentration. 3. 3. QH had a lower percentage of slow twitch oxidative fibers and a higher percentage of past twitch glycolytic fibers than SB or TB. 4. 4. Fast twitch oxidative-glycolytic fibers were lowest in the QH. 5. 5. The QH had mean carnosine values significantly greater (P < 0.01) than the mean values for SB and TB. 6. 6. Across breeds muscle carnosine concentration was positively correlated (P < 0.05; r = 0.53) with fast twitch glycolytic fiber percentage and negatively correlated (p < 0.05; r = - 0.51) with fast twitch oxidative fiber percentage. 7. 7. Free intramuscular carnosine is believed to function as an intracellular buffer. Since carnosine was highest in the muscle of horses with the greatest percentage of fast twitch glycolytic fibers, these data are consistent with the proposed function of this dipeptide.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)195-197
Number of pages3
JournalComparative Biochemistry and Physiology -Part A : Molecular and Integrative Physiology
Volume96
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - 1990

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Physiology

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