Changes in the muscle condition of female Zebra Finches Poephila guttata during egg laying and the role of protein storage in bird skeletal muscle

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Abstract
Samples of pectoral muscle tissue from Zebra Finches Poephila guttata were taken from birds at various stages of egg laying. As egg laying progressed, there was a significant loss of both water‐soluble and alkali‐soluble proteins. Gel filtration of the water‐soluble proteins showed three peaks, only one of which changed significantly during the laving cycle. This was a high‐molecular‐weight protein that declined in concentration during the period of egg laying. This protein may function as a reserve, enabling female birds to provide amino acids for egg protein production from their muscle tissue without impairing normal muscle function.