Figure 6

Primary porcine muscle ( psoas major ) cells showed the lowest cell fusion rate out of all the species evaluated. Satisfactory cell fusion was achieved at 72 h of culture with medium containing 0.4% Ultroser G. Cells fused en masse at small areas but predominantly fusion occurred in the form of thin myotubes. Desmin (brown staining) was detected in myotubes and some myoblasts (a, b). Note the high number of nuclei (>45) present in some myotubes (b). α-Sarcomeric actin staining (brown colour) was only found in terminally differentiated pig myotubes (c, d). Harris’ Haematoxylin nuclear counterstain was used.