A histophysiological study of muscle differentiation and growth in the common carp, <i>Cyprinus carpio</i> Var. <i>communis</i>

Abstract

From an histochemical and biochemical study on the fibre differentiation and muscle growth in common carp, Cyprinus carpio Var. communis , growth and development processes have been characterized on the basis of differences in fibre size, fibre number, lipid content, succinic dehydrogenase (SDH) and myofibrillar adenosine triphosphatase (m‐ATPase). A very early differentiation and zonal segregation of principal fibre types (red and white) and subsequent increase in muscle by their hypertrophy and hyperplasia was observed. These changes become pronounced after yolk sac absorption. The special character of the red muscle, as it develops from a superficial monolayered lateral sheet to a compact multicellular cone, was also investigated.