Biomaterial Database

Growth characteristics, protein synthesis, and protein degradation in muscles from fast and slow-growing chickens. 1987

K C Klasing, and C C Calvert, and V L Jarrell

Department of Avian Sciences, University of California, Davis 95616.

Developmental changes in muscle growth were studied in Single Comb White Leghorn (SCWL) and broiler-type (B) chickens. The extensor digiti communus (EDC) and ulnaris lateralis (UL) muscles were chosen for study because these muscles can be maintained in vitro, permitting the direct measurement of the fractional rate of protein synthesis (FSR) and the fractional rate of degradation (FDR). These muscles were removed from chicks at 1, 5, 10, and 20 days of age. Muscles for B were heavier, grew at a faster rate, and had greater fractional rates of growth than muscles from SCWL. Muscle protein concentrations were similar for SCWL and B. The deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) concentrations were greater in EDC muscles from SCWL than B at all time periods. Concentrations of DNA were greater in UL muscles from SCWL than B after Day 1. The FSR and FDR were measured in muscles incubated in vitro. At 9 days of age, FSR in broiler and SCWL chicks was not significantly different in either muscle. The FDR was 12 and 19% lower in broiler EDC and UL muscles, respectively, demonstrating that broiler EDC and UL muscles accrete protein at a greater rate and more efficiently than SCWL muscles because of a slower rate of protein degradation. The FSR and FDR were also compared in B and SCWL chicks of 8 and 11 days, respectively, with equal DNA unit sizes. The FSR in B was 27 and 13% greater in EDC and UL muscles, respectively, demonstrating that protein synthesis per nucleus is greater in B chicks.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D008297	Male		Males
D009124	Muscle Proteins	The protein constituents of muscle, the major ones being ACTINS and MYOSINS. More than a dozen accessory proteins exist including TROPONIN; TROPOMYOSIN; and DYSTROPHIN.	Muscle Protein,Protein, Muscle,Proteins, Muscle
D009132	Muscles	Contractile tissue that produces movement in animals.	Muscle Tissue,Muscle,Muscle Tissues,Tissue, Muscle,Tissues, Muscle
D001835	Body Weight	The mass or quantity of heaviness of an individual. It is expressed by units of pounds or kilograms.	Body Weights,Weight, Body,Weights, Body
D002645	Chickens	Common name for the species Gallus gallus, the domestic fowl, in the family Phasianidae, order GALLIFORMES. It is descended from the red jungle fowl of SOUTHEAST ASIA.	Gallus gallus,Gallus domesticus,Gallus gallus domesticus,Chicken
D004247	DNA	A deoxyribonucleotide polymer that is the primary genetic material of all cells. Eukaryotic and prokaryotic organisms normally contain DNA in a double-stranded state, yet several important biological processes transiently involve single-stranded regions. DNA, which consists of a polysugar-phosphate backbone possessing projections of purines (adenine and guanine) and pyrimidines (thymine and cytosine), forms a double helix that is held together by hydrogen bonds between these purines and pyrimidines (adenine to thymine and guanine to cytosine).	DNA, Double-Stranded,Deoxyribonucleic Acid,ds-DNA,DNA, Double Stranded,Double-Stranded DNA,ds DNA
D000818	Animals	Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA.	Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D013045	Species Specificity	The restriction of a characteristic behavior, anatomical structure or physical system, such as immune response; metabolic response, or gene or gene variant to the members of one species. It refers to that property which differentiates one species from another but it is also used for phylogenetic levels higher or lower than the species.	Species Specificities,Specificities, Species,Specificity, Species