Abstract:
Objective To analyze Myh6 gene expression and its correlation with the muscle fiber traits of New Zealand white rabbits, and explore the role of Myh6 gene during the development of muscle fibers.
Method Density, area, long and short diameters for back and leg muscle fibers were measured for 2-, 4-, 6-, 8-, 10-and 12-week-old New Zealand white rabbits using the frozen section technique. Myh6 gene expressions in back and leg muscles of rabbits at different ages were estimated using qRT-PCR. The correlations between Myh6 gene expression and muscle traits were analyzed.
Result The density of various muscle fibers gradually decreased, but the area, long and short diameters of muscle fibers increased from two to eight weeks, except for the short diameters of white muscle fibers increased from two to six weeks. The expression level of Myh6 gene was the highest in 4-week-old rabbit. The expression level of Myh6 gene was significantly (P < 0.01) negatively correlated with the red muscle fiber area of male rabbit back muscles, and significantly (P < 0.01) positively correlated with the red muscle fiber density of male rabbit leg muscles.
Conclusion Myh6 gene expression is closely related to type and growth of muscle fibers.