Effects of hypergravity on fiber type and muscle mass in ankle extensors, including a compartmentalized muscle

Authors

Hildegarde Bell, Florida International University

Document Type

Thesis

Degree

Master of Science (MS)

Major/Program

Biology

First Advisor's Name

Ophelia I. Weeks

First Advisor's Committee Title

Committee Chair

Second Advisor's Name

Richard Bone

Third Advisor's Name

George Dalrymple

Date of Defense

11-16-1995

Abstract

Mice (30+-3 days old) were exposed to hypergravity (4G, one hour/day). Cross-sections of ankle extensor muscles stained immunohistochemically against slow myosin (MHC) determined if hypergravity affects the distribution of slow muscle fibers. Comparisons (ANOVA) between exposed and unexposed animals show hypergravity causes increases in slow fiber density in soleus after fourteen (p=0.049) and thirty day (p=0.Ol9) exposures. Therefore, loading may induce faster development of soleus through increased slow fiber density. Slow fibers increase in plantaris in males after seven (p=0.008) and in females after fourteen days (p=0.003), suggesting hypergravity delays normal elimination of slow fibers. Lateral and intermediate heads of lateral gastrocnemius (LG) show greater numbers of slow fibers, overall, in exposed mice (p=0.003 both). A proximal compartment of LG (LGp) and medial gastrocnemius (MG) are minimally affected by hypergravity. In LGp, only males exposed for fourteen days show decreased slow fiber density (p=0.047), but MG increased slow fiber numbers in exposed females compared to controls (p=0.04).

Identifier

FI14050481

Recommended Citation

Bell, Hildegarde, "Effects of hypergravity on fiber type and muscle mass in ankle extensors, including a compartmentalized muscle" (1995). FIU Electronic Theses and Dissertations. 1480.
https://digitalcommons.fiu.edu/etd/1480