Growth and differentiation of the chicken Pectoralis major muscle: effect of genotype and early nutrition

摘要

Selection for growth and improved breast muscle yield in chickens is associated with muscle fibre hypertrophy (Guernec et al., 2003) and metabolic changes with consequences in terms of meat quality (Berri et al., 2001). This points out to a need for better understanding of the mechanisms underlying muscle growth, differentiation and metabolism. The present study was conducted to test whether variations in growth rate, induced by nutrition or genotype, could alter the expression of genes involved in muscle cell growth and differentiation, as well as the number and activity of satellite cells.