HISTOPHYSIOLOGICAL FEATURES OF SKELETAL-MUSCLE AND ADRENAL-GLANDS IN WILD-TYPE AND DOMESTIC PIGS DURING GROWTH (SHORT COMMUNICATION)

In domestic pigs major morphological and physiological traits have cha nged extremely by breeding and environment in comparison with their wi ld-type. Microstructural and biochemical parameters of skeletal muscle and adrenal glands were analysed in wild and domestic pigs from birth to 20 weeks of age kept under similar conditions. The intensive muscl e growth in domestic pigs was caused by increased fibre size and fibre number. The microscopical analysis of adrenal glands has shown a wide r Zona fasciculata accompanied by a greater cellular and nuclear size in domestic pigs compared with wild pigs. The findings indicate a more intensive growth of muscle fibres and a higher activity for glucocort icoid synthesis in the adrenal glands of domestic pigs at birth and du ring growth. Furthermore, they indicate a genetic determination of fea tures of muscle growth and adaptability to environmental factors.