Enzymic and physiological studies on normal and disused developing fast and slow cat muscles

1. Contraction time (CT), ½ relaxation time (½ RT), maximum twitch-tetanus tensions and the activity of two glycolytic enzymes (aldolase, pyruvic kinase) and two oxidative enzymes (malic and isocitric dehydrogenase) was studied in anterior tibialis (AT) and soleus (SOL) muscles from birth to 18 weeks of age. 2. One hind leg of each of six kittens was casted at birth and the above parameters were examined in both casted and contralateral AT and SOL at 18 weeks of age. 3. Differentiation of the contraction properties in normal developing fast muscle (AT) was closely paralleled by a marked elevation in glycolytic enzyme activity. Oxidative enzymic activity in AT and SOL was relatively unchanged from birth to 18 weeks of age, as was glycolytic activity in SOL. 4. Disuse, due to immobilization, produced atrophy in AT and SOL muscles at 18 weeks of age. The CT of the casted SOL was slightly quicker than normal while the CT of the AT was unchanged. The glycolytic and oxidative enzymic activity in both casted muscles was generally unchanged but the contralateral AT had higher glycolytic activity than normal muscles.