Muscle Fiber–Connective Tissue Junctions in the Fish Blue Grenadier ( <i>Macruronus novaezelandiae</i> ). A Scanning Electron Microscope Study

Abstract

ABSTRACT The junctions between the muscle fibers and the connective tissue of blue grenadier ( Macruronus novaezelandiae Hector) were studied using scanning electron microscopy. In fish before, during, and just after rigor mortis, the muscle fibers are attached to the myocommatal connective tissue sheets by fine collagenous fibrils. After chilled storage these fibrils deteriorate and the muscle fibers gradually detach from the myocommata. It appears that the fibrils are destroyed by endogenous collagenases and/or other proteinases.