Biomaterial Database

Ultrastructural alterations in skeletal muscle of ducklings fed selenium-vitamin E-deficient diet. 1977

J Van Vleet, and V J Ferrans

Newly-hatched ducklings were fed a selenium-vitamin E-deficient diet for 13 to 21 days. Ducklings were killed sequentially and the skeletal muscle alterations were studied by light and electron microscopy. An early alteration in skeletal muscle fibers was lysis of myofibrils, at first focal and later widespread. The sarcoplasm of damaged fibers appeared hyalinized by light microscopy. Degenerated skeletal muscle fibers with extensive lysis of myofibrils also had marked mitochondrial alterations, including swelling, formation of matrical densities, disruption of cristal membranes, and persistence of thick, dense, wavy, disrupted membranes. A sheath of external lamina persisted over degenerated segments of fibers which were invaded by macrophages that phagocytosed and removed the sarcoplasmic debris. Regeneration in damaged fibers was thought to proceed from thin subsarcolemmal satellite cells that survived the degenerative process. These satellite cells apparently developed into myoblasts, which fused to form myotubes that extended through the degenerated segments of fibers. Fibrillogenesis and sarcomerogenesis were apparent in myotubes. These structural alterations are discussed in terms of current knowledge of the combined biochemical role of selenium and vitamin E in maintaining cellular integrity.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D008297	Male		Males
D009132	Muscles	Contractile tissue that produces movement in animals.	Muscle Tissue,Muscle,Muscle Tissues,Tissue, Muscle,Tissues, Muscle
D009210	Myofibrils	The long cylindrical contractile organelles of STRIATED MUSCLE cells composed of ACTIN FILAMENTS; MYOSIN filaments; and other proteins organized in arrays of repeating units called SARCOMERES .	Myofilaments,Myofibril,Myofilament
D011201	Poultry Diseases	Diseases of birds which are raised as a source of meat or eggs for human consumption and are usually found in barnyards, hatcheries, etc. The concept is differentiated from BIRD DISEASES which is for diseases of birds not considered poultry and usually found in zoos, parks, and the wild.	Disease, Poultry,Diseases, Poultry,Poultry Disease
D004372	Ducks	A water bird in the order Anseriformes (subfamily Anatinae (true ducks)) with a broad blunt bill, short legs, webbed feet, and a waddling gait.	Duck
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
D012643	Selenium	An element with the atomic symbol Se, atomic number 34, and atomic weight 78.97. It is an essential micronutrient for mammals and other animals but is toxic in large amounts. Selenium protects intracellular structures against oxidative damage. It is an essential component of GLUTATHIONE PEROXIDASE.	Selenium-80,Selenium 80
D014811	Vitamin E Deficiency	A nutritional condition produced by a deficiency of VITAMIN E in the diet, characterized by posterior column and spinocerebellar tract abnormalities, areflexia, ophthalmoplegia, and disturbances of gait, proprioception, and vibration. In premature infants vitamin E deficiency is associated with hemolytic anemia, thrombocytosis, edema, intraventricular hemorrhage, and increasing risk of retrolental fibroplasia and bronchopulmonary dysplasia. An apparent inborn error of vitamin E metabolism, named familial isolated vitamin E deficiency, has recently been identified. (Cecil Textbook of Medicine, 19th ed, p1181)	Deficiency, Vitamin E,Deficiencies, Vitamin E,Vitamin E Deficiencies