Experimental evaluation of rigor mortis I. Histochemical analysis of rat skeletal muscle in the early post-mortem period

Histochemical investigation of rat skeletal muscle samples removed immediately post mortem from exercised rats gave the following results:

1. (1) Of the oxidoreductase enzymes studied, there was a slight increase in the activity of cytochrome oxidase.

2. (2) There was no change in the acid- and alkali-stable actomyosin ATPase activity.

3. (3) There was a notable decrease in glycogen concentration.

In the case of strychnine intoxication:

1. (1) There was no change in oxidoreductase enzymes.

2. (2) There was an increase in the activity of alkali-stable ATPase in white fibres.

3. (3) The glycogen concentration notably decreased.

There was no change in the activity of enzymes studied in those animals sacrificed by anoxia.