Figure 1.
Collagen content, cross-linking, and mRNA expression in LD muscle of offspring sheep from Con (□) and OB (▪) ewes.
A: Collagen content calculated based on the hydroxylproline concentration showing an increase in collagen concentration in OB offspring LD muscle (% dry muscle weight). B and C: Representative images of LD muscle from Con and OB offspring sheep at different magnifications. Transverse section of LD muscle stained with Masson's trichrome showing muscle fibers (red) and connective tissue (blue). D: Collagen cross-linking was higher in OB offspring muscle based on the concentration of pyridinoline (nmole/mg of dry muscle weight). E: Type I and III collagen expression and type III/I ratio of LD muscle. (*P<0.05, &P<0.10; Mean ± SE; n = 7).
Figure 2.
Collagen content, cross-linking, and mRNA expression in ST muscle of offspring sheep from Con (□) and OB (▪) ewes.
A: Collagen content calculated based on the hydroxylproline concentration showing an increase in collagen concentration in OB offspring ST muscle (% dry muscle weight). B and C: Representative images of ST muscle from Con and OB offspring sheep at different magnifications. D: Collagen cross-linking was higher in OB offspring muscle based on the concentration of pyridinoline (nmole/mg of dry muscle weight. E: Type I and III collagen expression and type III/I ratio of ST muscle. (*P<0.05; Mean ± SE; n = 7).
Figure 3.
TGF-β, p38 and its phosphorylation in LD muscle of offspring sheep from Con (□) and OB (▪) ewes.
Tubulin was used as a loading control. A: Western blotting showed no difference in TGF-β signaling in LD muscle. B: An increase in p38 phosphorylation was observed in OB compared to Con offspring LD muscle. (Arbitrary units; *P<0.05; Mean ± SE; n = 7).
Figure 4.
Relatvie lysyl oxidase, lysyl hydroxylase 2b (LH2b), and prolyl 4-hydroxylase α subunit (P4HA) mRNA expression in LD and ST muscle of offspring sheep from Con (□) and OB (▪) ewes.
Enzymes expression increased in OB offspring group compared to Con offspring. (Arbitrary units; *P<0.05; Mean ± SE; n = 7).
Figure 5.
Matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase (TIMP) expression in LD and ST muscle of offspring sheep from Con (□) and OB (▪) ewes.
A: MMP13 was higher while TIMP1 and TIMP3 tended to be higher in OB compared with Con offspring LD muscle. B: TIMP1 and TIMP3 were higher in OB compared with Con offspring ST muscle. (Arbitrary units; *P<0.05, &P<0.10; Mean ± SE; n = 7).
Table 1.
List of primers.