Myosin heavy chain pattern in the Akhal-Teke horses
K. Leisson,
K. Alev,
P. Kaasik,
Ü. Jaakma,
T. Seene
Affiliations
K. Leisson
Institute of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, Department of Animal Health and Environment, Estonian University of Life Sciences, Kreutzwaldi 62, Tartu 51014, Estonia
K. Alev
Institute of Exercise Biology and Physiotherapy, Department of Functional Morphology, University of Tartu, Chemicum, Ravila 14a-2066, Tartu 50411, Estonia
P. Kaasik
Institute of Exercise Biology and Physiotherapy, Department of Functional Morphology, University of Tartu, Chemicum, Ravila 14a-2066, Tartu 50411, Estonia
Ü. Jaakma
Institute of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, Department of Animal Health and Environment, Estonian University of Life Sciences, Kreutzwaldi 62, Tartu 51014, Estonia
T. Seene
Institute of Exercise Biology and Physiotherapy, Department of Functional Morphology, University of Tartu, Chemicum, Ravila 14a-2066, Tartu 50411, Estonia
This study investigates the myosin heavy chain (MyHC) isoform composition in the gluteus medius muscle of the Akhal-Teke horses using SDS-PAGE (sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis). Fifteen horses aged between 1.5 and 23.5 years were used in this study and divided into three age groups: 1.5 to 4 (n = 6), 9 to 13 (n = 5) and 18.5 to 23.5 years (n = 4). The average content of the MyHC I isoform was 11.72 ± 1.07% (variation between individuals: 7.09% to 20.14%). The relative content of the MyHC IIa and IIx isoforms was subsequently 38.20 ± 1.46% (30.73% to 48.78%) and 50.07 ± 1.10% (43.8% to 56.78%) from the total MyHC. The MyHC pattern in the skeletal muscles of the Akhal-Teke horses shows that the muscles of these horses have a high capacity both for endurance and speed.
