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The occurrence of giant fibres in different muscles of two chicken genotypes |
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| Authors: | R Branciari C Castellini R Mammoli S Rea D Ranucci |
| Institution: | 1. Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Perugia, via S. Costanzo 4, 06126 Perugia, Italy;2. Department of Agricultural, Food and Environmental Sciences, University of Perugia, Borgo XX Giugno 74, 06121 Perugia, Italy;3. School of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Camerino, Via Circonvallazione 93/95-62024 Matelica, Italy |
| Abstract: | 1. The occurrence of Giant Fibres (GF) in three muscles (Pectoralis major (PM), Iliotibialis lateralis and Semimembranosus) with different types of energy metabolism was studied in slow- and fast-growing chicken strains. 2. A total of 20 one-day-old Leghorn chicks (slow-growing) and 20 broiler (Ross 508) chicks (fast-growing) were reared to 100 and 45 d, respectively. 3. A small percentage of GF was seen in pre rigor muscle samples even at 3 min post mortem in both genotypes and in all muscle types studied. 4. From 3 min to 24 h post mortem GF increased both in Leghorn and broiler chickens but to a different extent according to muscle type and genotype. 5. The highest GF 24 h post mortem value was found in the PM muscles belonging to the fast-growing broiler line. 6. It was concluded that every type of muscle can develop GF, but this phenomenon is more evident in the PM especially in animals selected for increased growth rate. |
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