In ovotemperature manipulation influences post-hatch muscle growth in the turkey

Abstract

1. The effect of manipulating egg incubation temperature for short periods on turkey muscle development was determined using the M. semitendinosus, a thigh muscle, as the model. 2. Experiment 1. Eggs were incubated at a control temperature of 37.5 degrees C. For a 4-d period of 0 to 4, 5 to 8, 9 to 12, 13 to 16, 17 to 20 or 21 to 24 embryonic days (ED) eggs were transferred to either 38.5 or 35.5 degrees C. A regime of 38.5 degrees C at 5 to 8 and 9 to 12 ED caused an increased myonuclei number and muscle fibre number, respectively. 3. Experiment 2. Eggs were incubated at a control temperature of 37.5 degrees C. At 5 to 8 ED eggs were transferred to 38.5 or 35.5 degrees C. Temperature-manipulated embryos showed a delay in differentiation (myogenin expression) of the semitendinosus muscle compared to controls. 4. Manipulating the incubation temperature for 4 d in early incubation alters muscle development in the turkey with no observation of deformities or reduction in hatchability. We speculate that this increase in temperature may result in an improved muscle growth in the post-hatch bird.

Increasing the incubation temperature between embryonic day 7 and 10 has no influence on the growth and slaughter characteristics as well as meat quality of broilers

“…Within the gender the a* and b* values also did not differ significantly, but the HT hens had significantly higher L* values than the NT animals whereas the lightness values of the NT and HT cocks were not different (Table 2). Maltby et al (2004) showed that a higher incubation temperature between ED 9 and 12 increases the MFN of the semitendinosus muscle in turkeys without having an impact on the hatchability. With regard to these results the aim of this study was to analyse, if an increase of the temperature at a similar period during broiler incubation influences hatchability and muscle development/structure post-hatch, considering commercial rearing conditions.…”

“…Considering the results of Maltby et al (2004) the hypothesis was that an increased temperature Figure 2 Mean values (LSM) and standard errors of the slaughter, breast and leg weights of the birds depending on the gender and the incubation group (normal temperature (NT) 5 embryonic day (ED) 7 to 10:37.58C; high temperature (HT) 5 ED 7 to 10:38.58C). Considered are 30 birds per gender and incubation group.…”

“…A main advantage is that the embryonic development can be easily manipulated. Different endogenic factors with an impact on the avian embryogenesis have been investigated including the oxygen concentration (LeonVelarde and Monge, 2004;Chan and Burggren, 2005; -E-mail: Carsten.Werner@tiho-hannover.de Mortola and Labbe, 2005), the light colour (Rozenboim et al, 2003;Halevy et al, 2006) or the temperature around the brooding eggs (Christensen et al, 2001;Gauly et al, 2001;Von Blumroder and Tonhardt, 2002;Maltby et al, 2004;Tonhardt et al, 2004;Yahav et al, 2004a and2004b;Lourens et al, 2005;Collin et al, 2007;Hammond et al, 2007;Piestun et al, 2009). Direct manipulations include the in-ovo injection of growth hormones or factors (e.g.…”

“…embryonic day (ED) 4 to 7, ED 8 to 12, ED 8 to 10, ED 16 to 18) and sampling times before and after hatch of the animals (e.g. ED 18, 4 day, 25 day and 35 day post-hatch) (Maltby et al, 2004;Yahav et al, 2004a and2004b;Collin et al, 2007;Hammond et al, 2007;Piestun et al, 2009). Considering these publications -especially of this Maltby et al (2004) who showed that higher incubation temperatures between ED 9 and 12 in turkeys increases the MFN, the aim of this study was to investigate, how a higher incubation temperature between ED 7 and 10 -an important period of primary (embryonic) and secondary (foetal) myotube formation (Miller and Stockdale, 1986) -influences muscle development and/or structure in broiler post-hatch.…”

Advances in research on the prenatal development of skeletal muscle in animals in relation to the quality of muscle-based food. I. Regulation of myogenesis and environmental impact

“…A regime of 38.58C caused an increased myonuclear and fibre number in ST, along with a delay in differentiation (Maltby et al, 2004). In chickens, Hammond et al (2007) have shown that Rehfeldt, Te Pas, Wimmers, Brameld, Nissen, Berri, Valente, Power, Picard, Stickland and Oksbjerg these small temperature manipulations alter muscle cellularity, possibly through an effect on in ovo movement activities (higher temperatures produced sustained increases in movement).…”