Symmorphosis and livestock bioenergetics: production animal muscle has low mitochondrial volume fractions

A comparative analysis of skeletal muscle structure reveals that production species (nine species, representing three mammalian families and an avian family) have mitochondrial volume fractions (MVF) 37% lower than the non-production species at equivalent size (17 species, with representatives from...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of animal physiology and animal nutrition 2009-02, Vol.93 (1), p.1-6
Main Author: Hudson, N.J
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animal Feed
Animals
Energy Metabolism - physiology
ion gradients
mitochondria
Mitochondria, Muscle - metabolism
Mitochondria, Muscle - physiology
Muscle, Skeletal - metabolism
Muscle, Skeletal - physiology
Oxidative Phosphorylation
Oxygen Consumption
skeletal muscle
Species Specificity
symmorphosis
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Summary:A comparative analysis of skeletal muscle structure reveals that production species (nine species, representing three mammalian families and an avian family) have mitochondrial volume fractions (MVF) 37% lower than the non-production species at equivalent size (17 species, with representatives from 10 mammalian families) ( Fig. 1 ; F₁,₂₅ = 4.79; p = 0.039). As MVF provides evidence of oxidative capacity, this comparative analysis indicates that production animals share an exceptionally low oxidative capacity muscle phenotype. A possible bioenergetic reason for this observation, relating to a reduction in the cost of maintaining trans-membrane ion gradients is briefly discussed. This discussion is framed within a biological economic design theory called symmorphosis and makes predictions about avenues for improvements in livestock bioenergetics.
ISSN:0931-2439
1439-0396
DOI:10.1111/j.1439-0396.2007.00791.x