Morphological differences in myofibre size and shape: A comparative study of the soleus, gastrocnemius, triceps brachii and vastus lateralis in humans and mice.

ABSTRACT: Certain skeletal muscles are specialized for their functional roles, yet direct comparisons of cellular morphology of distinct muscles beyond fibre type distribution are limited. This study investigated myofibre morphology in predominantly slow, fast and mixed fibre muscles in humans and mice, with the aim of establishing reference values for muscle-specific myofibre size and shape. Nine healthy young men (Age: 26 ± 1 years, BMI: 23 ± 1 kg/m²) had muscle biopsies taken from soleus, triceps brachii and vastus lateralis muscles. Additionally, the soleus and gastrocnemius muscles were harvested from 7 male C57BL/6 mice. Muscle samples were analysed by ATPase (human) or immunofluorescence (mouse) stainings of fibre type specific cross-sectional area, perimeter and Shape Factor Index

SUBMITTER: Soendenbroe C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12682596 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature