Inter- and intraspecies comparisons of fibre type distribution and of succinate dehydrogenase activity in type I, IIA and IIB fibres of mammalian diaphragms.

Fibre types in the costal region of the diaphragm muscle of several mammalian species with widely different respiratory rates were examined microphotometrically for succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) activity. Mean activities indicated no significant (p greater than 0.05) difference between the type I and IIA fibres for any of the species examined. SDH activities in type IIB fibres were significantly lower (p less than 0.05) than either the type I or type IIA fibres in the cat, guinea pig, rat and rabbit whereas in the mouse no difference was found. The dog had no classical type 1B fibres. Analysis of the distribution of SDH activities by fibre type indicated a wide scattering of scores with no distinct separation between fibre types. Large differences in SDH activity were noted between species. Mean SDH activities were highest in the mouse and rat, intermediate in the rabbit and guinea pig and lowest in the cat and dog. These data suggest an association between respiratory rate and aerobic oxidative potential of the various fibre types in diaphragms of the species examined.