The effect of exercise and restraint on pectoral muscle metabolism in pigeons

Abstract

The effect of various activity regimes on metabolism of pigeon pectoralis was examined by measurement of blood lactate following exercise, total lactate dehydrogenase activity of pectoral muscle, and proportions of specific isoenzymes of pectoral muscle lactate dehydrogenase. Sprint-trained birds had the highest pectoral muscle lactate dehydrogenase activity (1409 IU.g-1 wet tissue), while endurance-trained birds had the highest peak lactate levels (287 mg.dl-1, extra-polated from decay curves) and fastest half-time of the lactate response (4.8 min) following exercise, but the lowest lactate dehydrogenase activity (115 IU.g-1 wet tissue). Immobilization of one wing for 3 weeks following endurance training produced a marked increase in lactate dehydrogenase activity of the immobilized muscle, compared to that in the contralateral pectoralis and endurance-trained muscle. Aerobic forms of the lactate dehydrogenase enzyme (that favor conversion of lactate to pyruvate) predominated in pectoral muscle of endurance-trained birds, while cage-confined birds exhibited primarily the anaerobic isoenzymes. These results demonstrate that conversion of pectoral muscle lactate dehydrogenase isoenzymes, total lactate dehydrogenase activity, and half-time of lactate response after exercise is dependent on activity regime in pigeons. In this respect, pigeon pectoral muscle responds to training and disuse in a manner similar to that of mammalian skeletal muscle.

Exercise training lowers the resting metabolic rate of Zebra Finches, Taeniopygia guttata

“…A reduction in RMR may be caused by, for example: reallocation of energy resources from self‐maintenance to fuel the flight activity required by the training regime (Deerenberg et al . 1998), muscle physiological changes (Butler & Turner 1988; Chaplin et al . 1997), changes in body composition (e.g.…”

Effect of temperature on muscle lactate metabolic recovery in sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax, L.) juveniles exposed to exhaustive exercise

“…Over the last years, many studies have focused on fish metabolism associated with exhaustive exercise (Milligan and Girard 1993;Chaplin et al 1997;Thomas et al 1999;Kieffer 2000;Paton et al 2001). Fish swimming ability has a significant effect on many aspects of their life.…”

Single Nucleotide Polymorphism in the <i>LDHA </i>Gene as a Potential Marker for the Racing Performance of Pigeons

“…This enzyme plays an important role in the metabolism of pyruvate and lactate, which implies that its activity is crucial for the overall physical performance. It has been previously reported by Chaplin et al (1997) that LDH activity is strongly influenced by the type of training. The highest muscle LDH activity was observed in sprint-trained birds and the lowest one in endurance-trained birds.…”