Enhancement of meat production by monochromatic light stimuli during embryogenesis: effect on muscle development and post-hatch growth

Abstract

The original objectives were: A. To determine the critical embryonic age for monochromatic green light stimulation. B. To follow the ontogeny of embryos exposed to monochromatic green light vs. darkness. C. To investigate the effects of monochromatic green light illumination on myoblast and fiber development in the embryo. D. To investigate the stimulatory effect of light combinations during embryo and post-hatch periods on growth and meat production. E. To evaluate the direct effect of monochromatic green light on cultured embryonic and adult myoblasts. The overall purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of monochromatic light stimuli during incubation period of broilers on muscle development and satellite cell myogenesis. Based on previous studies (Halevy et al., 1998; Rozenboim et al., 1999) that demonstrated the positive effects of green-light illumination on body and muscle growth, we hypothesized that monochromatic light illumination accelerates embryo and muscle development and subsequently enhances muscle growth and meat production. Thus, further decreases management costs. Under the cooperation of the laboratories at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and University of Washington we have conducted the following: 1. We have established the critical stage for exposure to green monochromatic light which has the maximal effect on body and muscle growth (Objective A). We report that embryonic day 5 is optimal for starting illumination. The optimal regime of lighting that will eliminate possible heat effects was evaluated by monitoring egg core temperature at various illumination periods. We found that intermitted lighting (15 min. on; 15 min. off) is optimal to avoid heat effects. 2. We have evaluated in detail gross changes in embryo development profile associated to green light stimuli vs. darkness. In addition, we have investigated the stimulatory effect of light combinations during embryo and post-hatch periods on body and muscle growth (Objective B,D). 3. We have studied the expression profile of muscle regulatory proteins during chicken muscle cell differentiation in cultures using newly developed antibodies. This study paved the way for analyzing the expression of these proteins in our photo stimulation experiments (Objective C). 4. We have studied the pattern ofPax7 expression during myogenesis in the posthatch chicken. Experimental chick pectoralis muscles as well adult myoblast cultures were used in this study and the results led us to propose a novel model for satellite cell differentiation and renewal. 5. The effects of monochromatic green light illumination during embryogenesis have been studied. These studies focused on fetal myoblast and satellite cell proliferation and differentiation at pre- and posthatch periods and on the effects on the expression of muscle regulatory proteins which are involved in these processes. In addition, we have analyzed the effect of photo stimulation in the embryo on myofiber development at early posthatch (Objective C). 6. In follow the reviewers' comments we have not conducted Objective E. The information gathered from these studies is of utmost importance both, for understanding the molecular basis of muscle development in the posthatch chicks and for applied approach for future broiler management. Therefore, the information could be beneficial to agriculture in the short term on the one hand and to future studies on chick muscle development in the embryo and posthatch on the other hand.