A systematic review of nutritional strategies to mitigate pectoral myopathies in broiler chickens

Abstract

SUMMARY This systematic review scrutinises the literature on white striping and wooden breast phenomena in broiler chickens, with a specific emphasis on identifying nutritional strategies designed to alleviate these myopathies. Additionally, the review sought to ascertain whether avian welfare was compromised when nutritional interventions were employed to address pectoral myopathies. Employing the ProKnow-C methodology, a total of twenty-two research articles were meticulously selected based on pre-established inclusion and exclusion criteria, following the Knowledge Development Process – Constructivist approach. Inclusion criteria encompassed studies featuring the application of nutritional strategies, specifically evaluating their impacts on the incidence of myopathies and their broader ramifications on animal welfare. Collated data facilitated to identify various nutritional strategies, evaluating their influence on the occurrence of pectoral myopathies, with researchers predominantly focusing on either white striping or wooden breast, or concurrently investigating both conditions. Upon a comprehensive analysis of the scientific content, the selected articles were categorised according to the applied nutritional strategies, namely: levels of crude protein, amino acids, and/or energy; antioxidants and various mineral sources; quantitative dietary restriction; and food additives. Our findings revealed a multitude of strategies deployed by the industry to mitigate the incidence of pectoral myopathies. Predominantly, these strategies fell into two broad categories: those associated with growth rate alterations, involving manipulation or retardation of the birds’ growth curve throughout the production phase; and those utilising dietary antioxidants, whether natural or synthetic. Approaches related to the growth curve aimed at mitigating myopathy severity by controlling or slowing down avian growth. It is noteworthy that the scarcity of studies examining the impact of pectoral myopathies on animal welfare raises concerns that necessitate urgent attention from the scientific community.