Catalysis by iron ascorbate and activated methemoglobin generated different oxidative responses in chicken muscle model systems. In iron ascorbate systems, large increases in hydroperoxides and thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS) occurred during the initial stage of incubation. Thereafter, iron ascorbate catalysis led to a slow increase in the oxidation of triacylglcyerol (TG) and sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) membrane lipids. By the end of incubation, 24, 36, and 32% of the initial content of n-3 fatty acids in free fatty acids, TG, and SR single-lipid model systems catalyzed by iron ascorbate had been lost. Reduced losses of n-3 fatty acids were observed in the SR and TG fractions (0 and 24%, respectively) when iron ascorbate model systems contained all three lipid fractions (mix). Hydroperoxides and TBARS in model systems catalyzed by activated methemoglobin were characterized by a lag phase during most of the incubation. Consistent with their role as antioxidants, losses of alpha-tocopherol (42-49%), gamma-tocopherol (36-42%), and protein sulfhydryls (41-52%) were observed in model systems catalyzed by activated methemoglobin. SR and mix model systems were 30-50% slower to oxidize than TG model systems when activated methemoglobin served as the catalytic agent.