HISTOCHEMICAL AND ELECTRON-MICROSCOPIC PROPERTIES OF THE MASSETER-MUSCLE IN THE JAPANESE FIELD-VOLE MICROTUS-MONTEBELLI

Authors
SUGASAWA K ANDO K MORI T SHIRAISHI S
Citation
K. Sugasawa et al., HISTOCHEMICAL AND ELECTRON-MICROSCOPIC PROPERTIES OF THE MASSETER-MUSCLE IN THE JAPANESE FIELD-VOLE MICROTUS-MONTEBELLI, Zoological science, 14(2), 1997, pp. 369-374
Citations number
27
Categorie Soggetti
Zoology
Journal title
Zoological science → ACNP
ISSN journal
02890003
Volume
14
Issue
2
Year of publication
1997
Pages
369 - 374
Database
ISI
SICI code
0289-0003(1997)14:2<369:HAEPOT>2.0.ZU;2-A
Abstract
The masseter muscles of the Japanese field vole Microtus montebelli we re studied histochemically and electron microscopically. The masseter muscles were composed of only fast-twitch oxidative (FO) fibers. As to ultrastructural features of the fibers, mitochondria, sarcoplasmic re ticula and transverse tubules were well developed. It is concluded tha t the masseter muscles in M. montebelli have the structural characteri stics that they can contract fast and enduringly. Thus, they appear to be highly adapted to herbivorous food habit.