Total Capillary Bed in Striated Muscle of Guinea Pigs Native to the Peruvian Mountains

Abstract

The total capillary bed in skeletal muscle of guinea pigs has been determined by perfusion with India ink and counting capillaries in cross sections of gelatin embedded muscle. Comparative studies have indicated the importance of age, the muscle studied and the site where counts were performed. Capillaries were more evently distributed in the red than the white areas of the muscle. Free exercise or restriction in cages during the life span did not materially effect the results, although in cross sections some gross enlargement of the red areas was observed in the free exercise group. A significantly greater number of capillaries per square millimeter of muscle tissue were observed in the red area of muscles from animals native to the Peruvian mountains. The red area of these muscles was also more extensive than in the sea level born controls. The possible adaptive significance of these characteristics has been indicated.