Characteristics of impala (Aepyceros melampus) skeletal muscles

The aim of this study was to determine citrate synthase (CS), phosphofructokinase (PFK) activities and myosin heavy chain (MHC) isoform contents in four muscle groups (semimembranosus (S), deltoideus (D), longissimus lumborum (LL), and psoas major (PM)) of impala (n = 6). All four muscle groups expressed predominantly MHC IIa (means of 55 ± 22-93 ± 12%). MHC IIx was only expressed in D. In D, positive correlations were found between MHC I and age (r = 0.93; P < 0.05) and the weight of the animals (r = 0.94; P < 0.01). PFK (means of 175 ± 179-374 ± 181), CS (means of 100 ± 23-126 ± 38 μmol/min/g dw) and MHC content indicated that energy provision in the impala is produced to a large extent via oxidative pathways and fibre types vary with animal characteristics.