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The effect of training on the potential for work in draught cattle was assessed by measuring the Na+,K(+)-ATPase in the muscle cell membrane and the elevation in the concentration of K+ in plasma during exercise. Biopsies of the semitendinosus muscle and venous blood samples were taken from the cattle used for draught work in Mozambique. No differences were found in the plasma ion or Na+,K(+)-ATPase concentrations in samples taken from Nguni, Africander and Angoni breeds. There were no significant differences in plasma ions (Na+,K+ and Cl-) or muscle Na+,K(+)-ATPase concentrations between the Angoni males and females, although the males showed an increase in Na+,K(+)-ATPase with age, while the females showed a decrease. The increase in males might be attributed to their higher level of activity in the herds than that of females. After a training period of 15 days, a significant increase in Na+,K(+)-ATPase concentration in semitendinosus muscle was found in Angoni cattle. In females, this was significant after 8 days of training (about 30%); in males after 15 days of training (about 16%). On day 15, there was a reduction in the elevation of plasma K+ during the 2 h of draught work, indicating an increased capacity of the Na+,K+ pumps to maintain the extracellular K+ concentration in working muscles and a possible delay in the moment of fatigue. |
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