Comparison of the effect of castration on the development of postural and non-postural muscles of mice

The effect of castration on the development of muscle mass of postural and non-postural muscles was studied in 18 male mice (9 castrated, 9 uncastrated). Results obtained indicated that the castrated males grew faster and were bigger in body size and weight at maturity than the intact males. The bigger body size of castrated males was not due to larger muscle mass but was probably due to increased subcutaneous fat deposition. Atrophy of muscles usually observed following castration was significantly greater in the non-postural (biceps brachii) muscle of the forelimb as compared to the postural (triceps brachii) muscle of the forelimb. Conversely, the amount of reduction in muscle mass was similar in both postural (soleus) and non-postural (tibialis cranialis) muscles of the hindlimb.