Diaphragmatic muscle fiber type development in swine

Diaphragmatic muscle fiber types were determined in the costal and crural segments of swine diaphragm at 4 postnatal ages (1 day, 1 month, 6 months, and between 3-6 yr of age). Fiber types were differentiated by enzyme histochemistry for adenosine triphosphatase and reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide. A progressive increase in the number of type I fibers occurred in both costal and crural segments from birth to 6 months of age. The number of type IIA fibers decreased and type IIB fibers increased over the same time period. Type IIC fibers were present through 1 month of age, were rarely observed at 6 months, and were not found in older animals. Type I fibers were more numerous in the crural portion of the diaphragm. The cross-sectional area of all fiber types in both costal and crural segments increased significantly with age. No preferential fiber type growth was noted in either segment of the diaphragm. These data suggest that the pig diaphragmatic muscle is differentiated into its adult form by 6 months of postnatal age, but fiber cross-sectional area growth continues along with body growth.