Thesis (Ph.D.) - Cairo University - Faculty of Veterinary Medicine - Department of Histology and Cytology

The pectoralis major, biceps brachii, gastrocnemius and cardiac muscles were obtained from twenty adult female birds of both fowl and pigeon. They were examined using light and transmission electron microscopy "TEM" methods. In addition to morphometric, histomorphometric, enzyme activity determination methods and electrophoretic separation of the muscle proteins were also performed. The histological examination showed that the muscle fibers of these muscles ran in different directions. The white fibers were randomly distributed in these muscles of fowl but mostly peripherally situated in the fibers of pigeon muscles. The cardiac muscle resemble only the red fibers. The Purkinje fibers were arranged in groups but they were smaller in fowl than in pigeon. Histochemical stains showed more pronounced glycogen granules in the obtained muscles of pigeon. They were also observed as traces in the purkinje fibers of the two birds. The myoglobin and calcium granules were unequally distributed in both fowl and pigeon muscles. Ultrastructurally, the myofibrils of these muscles differ in the thickness, sarcomeres width and the Z-lines density. Large numerous electronlucent lipid droplets were observed in the pigeon muscles and not observed in fowl except in the gastrocnemius muscle. Morphometric parameters and statistical analysis revealed no significant differences between sarcomere length in both birds in all muscles except the gastrocnemius muscle. However, significant differences were obtained in the muscle fiber diameter of all muscles

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