Research Proposal
The effect of myotonia on muscle mass in the myotonic goat
Sarah Winningham Dobbins
Department of Biology
38501-0001
Key Words: myotonic goat, fainting goat, myotonia,
muscle mass
Table of Contents
Project Summary
Introduction and Background .
Methods and Materials ..
Expected Results and Benefits
Project Timeline .
Resume ..
Literature Cited ..
Budget
Project Summary
The genetic condition of myotonia inhibits the relaxation of muscles in the affected myotonic goat (Tapscott, et al 2001). Through measurements of height, weight, length, circumference, and body fat, muscle mass will be estimated and compared. I expect to find the muscle mass of the myotonic goat larger than the muscle mass of the non-myotonic goat.
The objective of this study is to
find whether the genetic condition of myotonia increases muscle mass. The
findings may have a direct impact on the use of myotonic goats as meat goats,
and an indirect impact on the study of myotonia congenita in humans.
I project that the myotonic goats
will have increased muscle mass in comparison with the normal goats because of
the increased overall stimulation.
Introduction and Background
Myotonic goats have a genetic mutation that causes a decrease in muscle chloride conductance (Beck, et al 1999). This creates a condition in which, once stimulated, a muscle is unable to relax in the normal amount of time. The effect of this inability to relax sometimes causes the goat to faint, hence the name fainting goat (Vite, et al 1999).
Lee explored the connection between anthropometric
measures, such as skinfold measurement, and specific measures, such as
bioelectrical impedance. He found that there is a direct correlation and that
the precision of anthropometric measures is roughly equal to that of using the
bioelectrical impedance (Lee, et al 2000).Through measurements of height,
weight, length, circumference, and body fat, muscle mass was estimated
according to the methods of Swantek and used to compare and contrast the
myotonic and normal goats (Swantek, et al 1999).
As Ellis stated, a positive correlation can be found
between the circumference of muscles in limbs and overall muscle mass.
Likewise, a negative correlation can be found between body fat (measured with
the skinfold calipers) and overall muscle mass (Ellis 2001).
Methods and Materials
Using a standard tape measure,
measurements were taken from the hoof to the shoulder and the rump to the chest
of each myotonic goat. The measurements were recorded in the data table. The same measurements were then taken from
the normal goats and recorded in the data table. The tape measure was also used
to measure the circumference of legs, neck, and chest from each goat. Skinfold
measurements were taken from all four limbs and torso using skinfold calipers.
The goats were then weighed on a standard scale. All data was recorded as
measured (Ellis 2001).
After acquiring all the necessary data, the numbers were
analyzed to estimate muscle mass using a standard bar chart. The chart shows a
clear representation of muscle mass as a function of circumference, size, and
height to weight ratio, and allows comparison between normal and myotonic goats
(Swantek, et al 1999).
Data Form
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Limb Front (cm) |
Limb Rear (cm) |
Neck (cm) |
Length (cm) |
Height (cm) |
Weight (kg) |
Skinfold (cm) |
|
Normal 1 |
13.97 |
17.78 |
36.83 |
63.50 |
49.53 |
132 |
2.50 |
|
Normal 2 |
13.21 |
16.51 |
35.56 |
63.50 |
45.72 |
123.2 |
2.30 |
|
Normal 3 |
16.00 |
19.81 |
38.10 |
67.31 |
48.26 |
136.4 |
2.00 |
|
Normal 4 |
11.43 |
13.46 |
37.34 |
62.23 |
44.45 |
121 |
2.40 |
|
Normal 5 |
13.21 |
17.78 |
36.07 |
63.50 |
45.72 |
116.6 |
2.20 |
|
Normal 6 |
15.24 |
18.29 |
39.62 |
66.04 |
41.91 |
147.4 |
2.20 |
|
Normal 7 |
14.48 |
18.54 |
36.83 |
63.50 |
45.72 |
125.4 |
2.50 |
|
Avg.
Norm. |
13.93 |
17.45 |
37.19 |
64.23 |
45.90 |
128.86 |
2.30 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Myotonic
1 |
16.51 |
20.32 |
40.64 |
58.42 |
60.96 |
121 |
1.00 |
|
Myotonic
2 |
15.75 |
19.05 |
38.10 |
63.50 |
63.50 |
127.6 |
1.20 |
|
Myotonic
3 |
16.51 |
20.83 |
43.18 |
60.96 |
66.04 |
143 |
1.00 |
|
Myotonic
4 |
16.26 |
19.30 |
40.64 |
58.42 |
64.77 |
158.4 |
1.20 |
|
Myotonic
5 |
13.46 |
21.34 |
45.72 |
63.50 |
60.96 |
162.8 |
1.10 |
|
Myotonic
6 |
13.21 |
18.54 |
40.64 |
63.50 |
62.23 |
167.2 |
1.00 |
|
Myotonic
7 |
13.72 |
18.29 |
38.10 |
60.96 |
66.04 |
147.4 |
1.30 |
|
Avg. Myo. |
15.06 |
19.67 |
41.00 |
61.32 |
63.50 |
146.77 |
1.11 |
Expected
Results and Benefits
The objective of this study is to find whether the genetic
condition of myotonia increases muscle mass. The findings may have a direct
impact on the use of myotonic goats as meat goats, and an indirect impact on
the study of myotonia congenita in humans.
I project that the myotonic goats will have
increased muscle mass in comparison with the normal goats because of the
increased overall stimulation.
Timeline
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Researching
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Searching
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Developing
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Developing
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Writing
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Creating
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Collecting
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Analyzing
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Phone (931)537-3916 E-mail slwinningh22@tntech.edu |
Sarah Winningham Dobbins
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Employment |
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August 2003present UCHRA Cookeville, Tennessee data entry clerk § Responsible for Emergency Relief Information for over a thousand clients |
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August 2002present Lab instructor §
Responsible for teaching Biology
labs to undergraduates Education |
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August 2000May 2004
Bachelor Degree in Biology § Summa Cum Laude |
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E References |
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------Dr. Michael Joseph Redding Department of Biology, TTU (931)372-5555 ------Dr. John Harris Department of Biology, TTU (931)372-5555 ------Ms. Sandra Carter Supervisor, UCHRA (931)528-5555 |
Literature
Cited
Beck, C.L.;
Fahlke, C.; and George, A.L. Jr. 1996. Basis for decreased muscle chloride
conductance in the myotonic goat. Proc.
Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 93(20):11248-52.
Ellis, Kenneth J. 2001. Selected Body Composition Methods can be used in Field Studies. J. Nutr. 131: 1589S-1595S
Lee, R.C.; Wang,
X.; Heo, M.; Ross, R.; Janssen,
Swantek, P.M.; Marchello, M.J.; Tilton, J.E.; and Crenshaw, J.D. 1999. Prediction of Fat-Free Mass of Pigs from 50 to 130 Kilograms Live Weight. J. Anim. Sci. 77:893-897.
Tapscott, Stephen
J and Thornton, Charles A.
Vite, C.H.;
Melniczek, J.; Patterson, D.; and Giger, U. 1999. Congenital Myotonic Myopathy
in the Miniature Schnauzer: an Autosomal Recessive Trait. Journal of
Heredity. 90(5): 578-580
Wildeus, S.;
Fernandez, J.M. 1998. Persistence of lactation in three breeds of goats in a
forage-based meat production system. American Society of Animal Science.
76:24.
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Proposed Budget |
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Category |
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Salaries & Wages |
First Year |
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Professional |
$10,000 |
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Technician |
$10,000 |
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Secretarial |
$10,000 |
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Graduate Student(2) |
$15,000 |
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Student Hourly |
$3,000 |
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Subtotal |
$48,000 |
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Benefits |
$15,000 |
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Travel |
$2,000 |
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Non-Expendables |
$1,000 |
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Expendables |
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Computer |
$500 |
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Supplies & Expenses |
$1,000 |
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Copying & Telephone |
$600 |
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Tuition & Fees |
$2,500 |
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Subtotal |
$4,600 |
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Total Direct Costs |
$70,600 |
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Indirect Costs |
$2,300 |
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Total Costs |
$72,900 |
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