Breast muscle myopathies: twists and turns in modern broilers

Area of Science:

• Animal Science
• Veterinary Pathology
• Poultry Science

Background:

• Poultry meat production is crucial for global food security and livelihoods.
• Broiler breast myopathies (white striping, woody breast, spaghetti meat) present major economic and welfare challenges.
• Current etiologies of these myopathies remain largely unknown, hindering prevention strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide a comprehensive review of current knowledge on broiler breast myopathies.
• To consolidate expert insights from diverse scientific disciplines.
• To establish a foundation for future research into myopathy prevention and management.

Main Methods:

• Expert-led review synthesizing existing research.
• Detailed examination of myopathy history, occurrence, morphology, and characteristics.
• Analysis of putative etiologies, underlying molecular mechanisms, and potential solutions.

Main Results:

• Myopathies exhibit distinct macroscopic and microscopic features.
• Multiple factors including genetics, nutrition, and management contribute to myopathy development.
• Promising molecular signatures and potential intervention strategies have been identified.

Conclusions:

• Broiler breast myopathies are complex conditions influenced by multiple interacting factors.
• Understanding the interplay between broiler genetics, nutrition, and management is key.
• Further research is needed to develop effective prevention and treatment strategies.