A comparative study on the expression of myogenic genes, and their effects on performance and meat quality in broiler chicken strains

The aims of current investigation were to study the growth performance, carcass traits, meat quality and expression profile of Myostatin (MSTN), Insulin-like growth factor-۱ (IGF-I), Myogenin (MyoG) and Myogenic regulatory factor ۴ (MRF۴) genes in three commercial broiler strains including Ross (Ross ۳۰۸), Cobb (Cobb ۵۰۰), and Arian in ۲۰۲۳. A total number of ۲۴۰ one-day-old chicks were reared under an equalized standard management condition for ۶ weeks. Performance, organ weights, meat quality and the expression level of the myogenic genes in the pectoral muscle were investigated. The lowest body weight (BW), feed intake, weight gain and highest feed conversion ratio (FCR) was observed for Arian at the end of the study. The meat quality was similar between strains. The IGF-I expression level was significantly higher on ۴۲ days of age in Cobb compared to Ross and Arian. The MRF۴ expression level was significantly higher on ۲۸ days of age in Cobb compared to Ross. The MyoG expression level was significantly lower in Arian compared to Cobb on ۴۲ days of age. Furthermore, the MSTN expression level was significantly lower in Cobb compared to Ross and Arian on ۴۲ days of age. The remarkable differences in gene expression levels at the end of the rearing period was supported by higher growth performance and BW of Cobb compared to Ross and Arian strains. In conclusion, the findings of current study could conveniently help assess the performance of these broiler strains under similar rearing condition.