Histochemical and physiological characteristics during Korean native Ogol chicken development

This study examined the histochemical and physiological characteristics during Korean native Ogol chickens (KNOC) development. The body weight, Pectoralis major and soleus muscle weights, and muscle samples were taken at hatching as well as at 3, 5, and 15 weeks of age. The fiber characteristics of the Pectoralis major and soleus muscles from the KNOC at hatching to 15 weeks of age were determined, and the deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), ribonucleic acid (RNA), and protein concentrations were measured from the left Pectoralis major muscles. A greater increase in body and muscle weights was detected between hatching and 3 weeks of age than during any other period. Moreover, the cross sectional area (CSA) of the fibers, as well as the total concentration of DNA, RNA, and protein also showed a greater increase betweenhatching and 3 weeks of age than during any other period. The KNOC breed is a dual purpose breed, however, the it has lower body and muscle weights than commercial meat type chickens or layer type chickens. Moreover, the KNOC breed has a small muscle fiber CSA of and a low nucleic acid concentration.