Skeletal muscle myopathies and cardiovascular diseases in poultry: challenges for meat production

SUMMARYGlobal meat consumption relies heavily on poultry, with ongoing efforts to genetically modify these birds to increase meat production efficiency. However, the incidence of skeletal and cardiovascular muscle abnormalities has significantly risen in the poultry industry over the past few decades. These conditions are predominantly associated with fast-growing genotypes selected for their superior production traits, such as high growth rates and breast yields. The aetiology of myopathic disorders affecting both skeletal and cardiovascular muscles in poultry is complex, involving multiple biochemical pathways and response mechanisms that impact overall health. In this review, we examine the histology, aetiology, and clinical characteristics of key skeletal muscle myopathies, including spaghetti meat (SM), white striping (WS) and wooden breast (WB) and discusses their interconnected effects with cardiovascular conditions. We provide a detailed discussion of various cardiovascular diseases in poultry including dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) in turkeys, round heart disease (RHD) in chickens, ascites (coelomic fluid)/pulmonary hypertension disease in broilers, dissecting aneurysm/aortic rupture in turkeys, broiler sudden death syndrome (SDS) and turkey sudden death syndrome (TSDS), highlighting how increased muscle mass and stress from rapid growth can exacerbate both skeletal and cardiovascular disorder. This review aims to bring researchers closer to understanding the precise aetiology, histology, and features of these myopathies and their relationship with muscle growth and meat quality in poultry. Our aim is to elucidate the precise relationships between these conditions, their implications for muscle growth, meat quality, and the financial sustainability of the poultry industry.