A HISTOCHEMICAL STUDY OF HYDROLYTIC ENZYMES IN MUSCLE FIBERS OF VARIOUS ANIMALS

A histochemical study of hydrolytic enzymes was carried out by azo coupling methods. Alkaline phosphatase, acid phosphatase, esterase, aminopeptidase, β-glucuronidase, β-galactosidase, sulfatase and phosphorylase were histochemically demonstrated in muscles of various kinds of animals. Mammalian, bird, reptile and amphibian muscles contained esterase but no other enzymes, and a difference was observed in esterase activity in red, white and medium muscle fibers. Muscle fibers in mammals and birds showed the reciprocal proportion between phosphorylase and oxidative enzymes. Fish white muscle fibers showed a strong reaction of esterase, while the red muscle fiber a weak reaction. In the fish white muscle showed a slightly positive reaction of alkaline and acid phosphatase; aminopeptidase, β-glucuronidase and β-galaetosidase were slight positive in white fiber. Invertebrate muscles showed hydrolytic enzymes. These findings suggest that there is a difference in the metabolism in the muscle depending upon each species.