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Abstract:
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Blood oxygen carrying capacity, myoglobin levels and
LDH isozyme compositions in the heart, gastrocnemius
and pectoralis muscles were determined in Common Murre
adults and during maturation of the chick at sea. Oxygen
stores in the chick (hemoglobin, hematocrit, muscle myoglobin)
increased significantly with growth. High levels of
the aerobic isozyme, LDH 1, were maintained throughout maturation
in the heart. All five LDH isozymes were maintained
at similar levels in the gastrocnemius muscle. The
pectoralis showed an increase in LDH 1, 2, 3, and 4, yet
retained relatively high levels of LDH 5 throughout maturation.
Upon leaving the nesting colony, metabolic
capacities in the heart and gastrocnemius of the chick are
similar to those of adults. The chick pectoralis tissue, however, gains aerobic capacities with maturation which is concomitant with the needed capacity for aerial and aquatic
flight upon fledging. |
