Structural and metabolic integrity of sheep external intercostal muscle during extended culture.

The objectives of this study were to examine the structural and metabolic integrity of isolated sheep external intercostal muscle bundles following variable lengths of preincubation (0 to 192 h). Samples of intact external intercostal muscle (10 to 15 g), with tendons attached, were prepared from growing wethers and maintained at their resting lengths during preincubation for 0 to 192 h. Protein synthesis (PS), protein degradation (PD), acetate oxidation and ultrastructural integrity of muscle samples were examined at 0 to 192 h, 0 to 96 h, 0 to 48 h and 0 to 96 h following isolation, respectively. Additionally, the effects of variable fetal calf serum (FCS) concentrations (0 to 20%; w/v) on PS and PD and acetate oxidation were examined. Rate of PS increased as preincubation time increased to 192 h; however, most of this increase was due to the proliferation of fibroblasts on the surface of the muscle sample. Addition of cytosine arabinoside to the incubation media prevented the fibroblast-dependent increase in PS; however, it did not entirely prevent the preincubation time-dependent increase in PS. Rate of PD increased greatly upon preincubation. The nitrogen balance of incubated muscles was negative at all times examined. Acetate oxidation was maintained through 12 h of preincubation and thereafter declined. Relatively normal myofibrillar structure was maintained through 48 h of preincubation; however, loss of mitochondrial integrity and dissolution of Z-disks at 48 h and at 96 h of preincubation were evident. Isolated tissues were able to respond to FCS concentration in medium following 48 h of preincubation.