biostudies-literatureUnknown13(3)He XInner Mongolia Autonomous Region Science and Technology Plan Project (2019–2022)China Agriculture Research System of the MOF and the MARANational Natural Science Foundation of China<h4>Simple Summary</h4> Collagen is an important component of muscle tissue that maintains muscle structure and also contributes to meat quality. However, the characteristics of intramuscular connective tissue (IMCT) collagen of Wuzhumuqin sheep are unknown. The purpose of this study was to analyze the characteristics of IMCT collagen in Wuzhumuqin sheep at different growth stages and to determine the correlation between them. The results showed that collagen-related genes were highly expressed at 9 and 12 months of age. The amino acid content, solubility, thermal stability, and degree of cross-linking of collagen were altered by collagen type, muscle type, and age. Multiple patterns of correlation between collagen characteristics are essential for the development of IMCT. These findings wAnimals : an open access journal from MDPIhttps://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC9913400biostudies-literatureCharacterization of Type I and Type III Collagen in the Intramuscular Connective Tissue of Wuzhumuqin SheepPMC9913400Grant No. CARS38Grant No. 31360368Borjigin GXue WWu JHuang YWu QHe XChen LWu RHan YSha RfalseCharacterization of Type I and Type III Collagen in the Intramuscular Connective Tissue of Wuzhumuqin Sheep<h4>Simple Summary</h4> Collagen is an important component of muscle tissue that maintains muscle structure and also contributes to meat quality. However, the characteristics of intramuscular connective tissue (IMCT) collagen of Wuzhumuqin sheep are unknown. The purpose of this study was to analyze the characteristics of IMCT collagen in Wuzhumuqin sheep at different growth stages and to determine the correlation between them. The results showed that collagen-related genes were highly expressed at 9 and 12 months of age. The amino acid content, solubility, thermal stability, and degree of cross-linking of collagen were altered by collagen type, muscle type, and age. Multiple patterns of correlation between collagen characteristics are essential for the development of IMCT. These findings w2023-01-01T00:00:00Z2023 Jan2025-04-18T15:52:54.983Z2025-02-19T02:56:36.023ZS-EPMC9913400