[COMPARATIVE CHARACTERISTICS OF SKELETAL MUSCLES OF CALVES OF THE KALMYK BREED OF CATTLE].

Using general histological, histochemical, immunocytochemical and morphometric methods, two muscles (longissimus dorsi and biceps femoris) were characterized morphologically and functionally in 15-month-old calves of the new «Aita» breed type (n=6) and in calves of the same age from the base type Kalmyk breed of cattle (n=6). The results of the study showed that the muscles of animals of a new breed type had smaller diameter of the muscle fibers and slightly greater thickness of the endomysium. In the muscles of animals of two types no differences were found between the volumes of nuclei and glycogen in the muscle fibers, as well as between the fractions occupied by loose fibrous connective tissue and the cellular composition of the endomysium. The data obtained reflect the range of variability of the muscle tissue within the breeds of cattle, they are also indicative of high quality characteristics of meat products obtained from these animals.