Abstract:

Wuzhumuqin sheep aged 1－18 months were tested for the structural change of intramuscular connective tissues by a histological method. Meanwhile, the contents of pyridinoline and proteglycans in intramuscular connective tissues were determined during the development of Wuzhumuqin sheep. The thickness of endomysium increased with increased age and no significant difference was observed between 6 and 9 months and between 12 and 18 months (P＞ 0.05). The thickness of perimysium showed an obvious increase during the first 6 months and then a significant decrease (P ＜ 0.05). The diameter of endomysial honeycomb structure gradually increased, and collagen fibrils in endomysium became more tightly bounded to each other. Moreover, the wavy pattern of collagen fibres in perimysium became more regular during the growth of sheep. Furthermore, the contents of pyridinoline and uronic acid in connective tissue revealed a significant increase during the growth process of sheep (P ＜ 0.05).

Key words: endomysium, perimysium, structural change, pyridinoline, uronic acid