Histochemical demonstration of enzymatic heterogeneity within the mesocoxal and metacoxal muscles of Periplaneta americana

Enzymatic activity in the mesocoxal and metacoxal muscles of the cockroach, Periplaneta americana, has been characterized using histochemical techniques. Our interpretation of the histochemical stains for myosin-ATPase (pre-incubated at pH 9.4, 10.4 and 4.3). NADH reductase, succinic dehydrogenase (SDH), and lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) has enabled us to classify fibres within these muscles according to established fibre typing strategies. The results reaffirm the biochemical heterogeneity reported for the mesocoxal muscles and allow us to confirm the expected heterogenity in the homologous metacoxal muscles. These techniques have proven to be an effective tool for assessing the biochemical properties of muscle fibres.