Skeletal muscle characteristics in 2 year-old race-trained thoroughbred horses

Skeletal muscle samples were obtained by needle biopsy from two depths of the m. gluteus medius of 50, young race-trained thoroughbred racehorses. Histochemical and biochemical characteristics of the muscle samples were analysed. Fibres were classified as type I, type IIa or type IIb on the basis of the pH dependent lability of the myosin ATPase reaction. The activities of citrate synthase (CS) and glycogen phosphorylase (Phos) were determined. Muscle fibre composition varied markedly between deep and superficial muscle samples and this was reflected in differences in the activities of citrate synthase (CS) and phosphorylase (Phos). CS activity was greater in samples taken from a depth of 90 mm (deep) than those taken from a depth of 40 mm (superficial: 122 +/- 19 compared with 88 +/- 16 mumol/g dry muscle/min at 25 degrees C). Phos activity was greater in superficial samples (137 +/- 20) compared with deep samples (117 +/- 21). Regression analysis was used to estimate the enzyme activities in the different fibre types. No significant correlations were observed between histochemical and biochemical measures and subsequent racing performance.