High oxidative capacity and type IIx fibre content in springbok and fallow deer skeletal muscle suggest fast sprinters with a resistance to fatigue

Abstract

SUMMARYSome wild antelopes are fast sprinters and more resistant to fatigue than others. This study therefore investigated two wild antelope species to better understand their reported performance capability. Muscle samples collected post mortem from the vastus lateralis and longissimus lumborum of fallow deer (Dama dama) and springbok (Antidorcas marsupialis) were analysed for myosin heavy chain isoform content, citrate synthase, 3-hydroxyacyl CoA dehydrogenase, phosphofructokinase, lactate dehydrogenase and creatine kinase activities. Cross-sectional areas, fibre type and oxidative capacities of each fibre type were determined in the vastus lateralis only. The predominant fibre type in both muscle groups and species were type IIX (>50%), with springbok having more type IIX fibres than fallow deer (P<0.05). Overall cross-sectional area was not different between the two species. The metabolic pathway analyses showed high glycolytic and oxidative capacities for both species, but springbok had significantly higher CS activities than fallow deer. Large variation and overlap in oxidative capacities existed within and between the fibre types. Some type IIX fibres presented with oxidative capacities similar to those from type I and IIA fibres. The data suggest that springbok and fallow deer are able sprint at >90 and 46kmh -1 , respectively, partly from having large type IIX fibre contents and high glycolytic capacities. The high oxidative capacities also suggest that these animals may be able to withstand fatigue for long periods of time.

Effect of Sex and Muscle on the Fiber-Type Composition and Cross-Sectional Area of Springbok (Antidorcas marsupialis) Muscle

“…The high prevalence of type IIX fibers found in this study (Table 1) is in agreement with the fiber-type composition reported by Curry et al (2012) for springbok muscle. It also suggests greater similarity in this regard between springbok and kudu (Tragelaphus strepsiceros), than springbok and blesbuck (Damaliscus dorcas phillipsi), black wildebeest (Connochaetes gnu) or blue wildebeest (Connochaetes taurinus; Kohn et al, 2007).…”

“…This suggests that the classification of muscle fibers from springbok purely according to the myosin heavy chain isoform present may not be sufficient to provide the full picture. The relatively high activity of the enzymes involved in oxidative metabolism found for springbok muscle by Curry et al (2012), despite the low proportion of type I fibers, further supports this. The large proportion of type IIX fibers found for springbok muscle may have a considerable influence on the nature of the meat.…”

“…The relatively large proportion of type IIX fibers found in springbok muscle relates well with the high activity of the glycolytic enzymes, as reported by Curry et al (2012), as well as the considerable sprinting ability of the species (Kohn et al, 2011;Smithers, 1983). However, this apparently glycolytic nature appears to contradict the relatively high iron levels and low L* values previously reported for springbok meat, as these are most commonly associated with high proportions of type I and IIA fibers (Choe et al, 2008;Dingboom and Weijs, 2004;Henckel et al, 1997;Hoffman et al, 2007aHoffman et al, , 2007b.…”

“…While fiber-typing has been performed relatively extensively on species such as cattle, sheep and pigs (Henckel et al, 1997;Moreno-Sánchez et al, 2008;Sazili et al, 2005;Valin et al, 1982;Vestergaard et al, 2000), only 1 study thus far has identified the fiber-type composition of springbok muscle (Curry et al, 2012).…”

Color Stability of Fallow Deer (Dama dama) Infraspinatus, Longissimus Thoracis et Lumborum, and Biceps Femoris Muscles During Refrigerated Storage

“…The fallow deer adapted well to the South African climate, and consequently their population grew rapidly (Curry et al, 2012). They have been translocated to various areas within South Africa, and they can be found on many game farms as well as free roaming throughout South Africa.…”