Research Article
Expression of Growth-Related Factors in Skeletal Muscle of Pirarucu(Arapaima Gigas) during Growth
Author(s): Fernanda Regina Carani, Bruno Oliveira da Silva Duran, Warlen Pereira Piedade, Fernanda Antunes Alves da Costa, Vera Maria Fonseca de Almeida-Val and Maeli Dal-Pai-SilvaFernanda Regina Carani, Bruno Oliveira da Silva Duran, Warlen Pereira Piedade, Fernanda Antunes Alves da Costa, Vera Maria Fonseca de Almeida-Val and Maeli Dal-Pai-Silva
The skeletal muscle of the species Arapaima gigas (pirarucu) constitutes the major edible part of the fish and is, therefore, an important protein source for human consumption. Post-natal muscle growth is regulated by the expression of myostatin as well as the Myogenic Regulatory Factors (MRFs) MyoD and myogenin. Once pirarucu reaches large size, we assume that the control of muscle growth by MRFs and myostatin occurs differentially at the initials life stages. In the present work we evaluated the morphological aspects and expression of MRF genes in skeletal muscle of pirarucu during early juvenile stage (Group A, up to 50 g, n=7), and post juvenile stages (Groups B, from 50 to 400 g, n=7; C, from 400 g to 5 kg, n=7, and D, from 5 to 9 kg, n=7). Transverse sections of red and white muscles were obtained to evaluate muscle fiber morphological and morphometric characteristics. MyoD, myo.. View More»
DOI:
10.4172/2155-9546.1000272