The effects of myostatin mutation on the tibia bone quality in female Japanese quail before and after sexual maturation

Myostatin gene role in regulating traits of poultry species for potential industrial applications

“…Because genetic factors are considered as major contributors to bone quality, along with nutritional and environmental factors, genetic approaches to improve traits related to bone qualities has been suggested as a potential solution [ 64 ]. In the MSTN mutant quail, bone size and quality were precisely analyzed by Micro-Computed Tomography scanning [ 43 , 44 ]. Although there might be some indirect effect on bone size by increased body weight and muscle mass, significant increase in the size of tibia bones, including length, width, and cortical thickness, of both male and female quail by MSTN mutation supports the direct role of the MSTN gene on bone size in quail.…”

“…Other bone quality related parameters, such as bone mineral content, bone mineral density, bone volume, and bone breaking strength (BBS) were also higher in the MSTN mutant group compared to the WT group of adult male quail [ 43 ]. MSTN mutant female quail before sexual maturation also showed improvement in their bone quality related parameters [ 44 ]. However, the benefit of MSTN mutation on bone quality disappeared in female quail after sexual maturation, when most bone quality related parameters were similar between the two groups [ 44 ].…”

“…MSTN mutant female quail before sexual maturation also showed improvement in their bone quality related parameters [ 44 ]. However, the benefit of MSTN mutation on bone quality disappeared in female quail after sexual maturation, when most bone quality related parameters were similar between the two groups [ 44 ]. In fact, after the onset of egg laying, birds undergo dramatic changes to form a medullary cavity inside the long bone functioning as an accessible source of calcium for eggshell formation [ 65 ].…”