Investigations on structure of musculus pectoralis and musculus iliotibialis lateralis of peking and muscovy ducks

The investigation of muscle structure of peking ducks at the age of 7 weeks selected for rapid growth has shown that the pectoralis muscle consisted o f 87% FTO (fast twitch oxidative) fibres and of 13% FTG (fast twitch glycol ytic) fibres. The structure of the M. pectoralis of muscovy ducks at the ag e of 12 weeks was similar with 85% FTO- and 15% FTG- fibres. The cross sect ion areas of FTG fibres were 2 to 4 times larger than the FTO fibres. In bo th species M. iliotibialis lateralis is composed of FTG and FTO fibres in e qual shares. Both analyzed muscles exhibit no slow-twitch-fibres. Because o f the high percentage of FTO fibres no incidence of poor meat quality due t o rapid glycogenolysis will be expected. Keeping peking ducks from the age of 3 to 7 weeks on pasture resulted in smaller fibre cross section of M. pe ctoralis due to slower growth. There was no effect on fibre cross section o f M. iliotibialis lateralis.