A Histochemical Characterization of Muscle Fiber Types in the Middle Ear Muscles of the Cat

The muscle fiber content of the stapedius muscle of the cat was determined histochemically using a combination of oxidative enzymes and glycolytic markers. The major fiber type present was determined to be the fast oxidative glycolytic type (FOG; 77%). Two other types of fiber were found that could not be placed into any of the classical muscle fiber categories. One of these fibers had little staining for actomyosin ATPase (1', 13%) while the other stained densely for this enzyme (2', 10%). These fibers could also be separated using fiber diameter as a criterion. The mean diameters of these different fibers were 22.8 Mm+/-6.3 (FOG fiber type), 14.8 micrometers+/-3.7 (1' fiber) and 14.9 micrometers+/-5.5 (2' fiber). Since the predominant fiber type (FOG) is adapted for fast contraction and fatigue resistance, the stapedius muscle of the cat is probably capable of fast repetitive contractions, a conclusion that fits well with much of the physiological data. Due to the fact that the 2' fibers were always paired with the 1' fibers, it is conceivable that these pairs may represent some specialized sensory structures (i.e. unencapsulated muscle spindles).