Myofibre composition and total collagen content in M. iliotibialis lateralis and M. pectoralis of Silkie and White Leghorn chickens

1. Using adult Silkie and White Leghorn (WL) chickens, fibre composition and total collagen content were compared between M. iliotibialis lateralis (ITL) and M. pectoralis (PT). 2. Fibres were divided into type IIR and IIW showing strong and weak reduced nicotinamide adenine dinudeotide dehydrogenase activities, respectively. 3. Fibre composition differed markedly between ITL and PT muscle. ITL muscle was composed of both types IIR and IIW fibre but PT muscle of only type IIW. Breed difference on composition was noted only in ITL muscle of cocks (type IIR; Silkie 53.8% and WL 37.0%). 4. Total collagen content was greater in ITL muscles and in cocks in both muscles. However, a breed difference was observed only in the PT muscle of hens. 5. In conclusion, the total collagen content was affected by muscle location within the body and by sex rather than by fibre composition.