Abstract
In this study we addressed the effect of various monochromatic light treatments on muscle growth and satellite cell proliferation in broilers (Gallus domesticus). Broilers were reared under green (560 nm), blue (480 nm) and red (660 nm) monochromatic lights and white light as a control from day one until 35 days of age. At five days of age, satellite cells were prepared from the experimental chicks. The number of satellite cells per gram of breast muscle and total number of satellite cells derived from the experimental broilers was substantially higher in the groups reared under green and blue light, compared to the red and white light groups. Growth hormone receptor gene expression was also higher in the former groups. High correlation was found between the breast muscle weight observed on day 35 and the number of satellite cells per gram of breast muscle (r = 0.915) and total number of satellite cells (r = 0.833), derived from the experimental chicks as early as five days of age. In addition, the protein/DNA ratio found in breast muscle at 35 days of age was significantly lower in chicks that were reared under green and blue lights. The lowest ratio which was found in the green group and was twice as low as in the control group, indicates the highest number of nuclei in the former group. As satellite cells are the only source of additional nuclei in skeletal muscles of postnatal animals, our results suggest that the higher muscle weight found in the green and blue light groups was due to increased satellite cell proliferation during the first days of age.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 317-323 |
Number of pages | 7 |
Journal | Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology - A Molecular and Integrative Physiology |
Volume | 120 |
Issue number | 2 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - May 1998 |
Bibliographical note
Funding Information:We are grateful to Dr. J. Burnside for providing us with the cGH-R cDNA. This study has been Supported in part by the Israel Poultry Marketing Board.
Keywords
- Body weight
- Broilers
- Chicks
- Monochromatic light
- Satellite cells
- Skeletal muscle