The Effect of a Diet with a High or Low Content of Vitamin E on Different Skeletal Muscles and Myocardium in Pigs

Abstract

Summary Two groups of growing pigs were fed a barley‐based diet with a low or high content of vitamin K, Biopsy specimens were taken from different skeletal muscles and from the myocardium and analysed for enzyme activities, fibre type composition and content of vitamin E. The highest vitamin E value and oxidative capacity were observed in the myocardium. The skeletal muscles with the highest oxidative capacity also possessed the greatest capacity for storage of vitamin E. The vastus médius showed the highest percentage of type I and type IIA fibres and the highest content of vitamin E. The superficial portion of the biceps femoris with the lowest percentage of type 1 and type IIA fibres had the lowest content of vitamin E. Histochemical stainings showed that type 1 and IIA fibres contained more lipid and had a greater oxidative capacity than type IIB fibres. This study shows that the content and storage capacity of vitamin E is related to the oxidative capacity of the mu.scle and the amount of lipid containing type I fibres. Furthermore, vitamin E deficiency may be associated with the occurrence of giant fibres.