Logan Steele
Artificial selection for high growth rates and increased muscle mass has led to domestic turkeys with body masses up to three times that of their wild counterparts. This has resulted in muscles that are twice the size of those found in wild turkeys. Research has been conducted to understand the structural and functional changes in turkey muscles due to domestication, with a focus on the lateral gastrocnemius muscle, which is important for walking. Studies have found that while domestic turkeys' muscles can produce the same force per cross-sectional area as wild turkeys, they produce less force per unit body mass due to scaling.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Body mass | Up to three times that of wild turkeys |
| Muscle mass | Twice that of wild turkeys |
| Muscle fibers | Smaller than those of wild turkeys |
| Collagen concentration | Lower than in wild turkeys |
| Muscle function | Produces the same force per cross-sectional area as wild turkeys but less force per unit body mass |
| Muscle structure | Altered due to artificial selection for high growth rates and increased muscle mass |
| Blood enzyme activity | Studied up to 16 weeks of age in lines of turkeys selected for rapid growth |
| Muscle damage | More common in rapidly growing lines, with higher levels of plasma CK |
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What You'll Learn
- Domestic turkeys have been bred to be up to three times heavier than wild turkeys, with muscles twice the size
- The lateral gastrocnemius muscle in a turkey's leg is important for walking
- Muscle structure and blood enzyme activity are studied in rapidly growing turkeys
- Muscle weights are usually proportional to body weights, except for the superficial pectoralis muscles
- Running turkeys' muscles and tendons absorb and release mechanical work to maintain cyclic movements
Domestic turkeys have been bred to be up to three times heavier than wild turkeys, with muscles twice the size
Domestic turkeys have been bred to be substantially heavier than their wild counterparts, with muscles that are significantly larger. This process of selective breeding has resulted in domestic turkeys reaching a body mass up to three times that of wild turkeys. The motivation behind this practice is the desire for bigger birds that yield more meat, a trait highly prized by farmers and consumers alike.
The pursuit of increased muscle mass in domestic turkeys has led to muscles that are approximately twice the size of those found in wild turkeys. This significant increase in muscle size has been achieved through selective breeding practices, with farmers targeting specific traits such as larger breasts and thicker legs. The lateral gastrocnemius (LG) muscle, for example, has been found to be absolutely larger in domestic turkeys when compared to wild turkeys.
While the LG muscle in domestic turkeys can produce the same force per cross-sectional area as its wild counterpart, it generates less force per unit body mass due to scaling. This means that the muscles of domestic turkeys are relatively weaker when compared to wild turkeys, despite their larger size. The larger muscle mass in domestic turkeys is composed of a greater number of smaller muscle fibres, with a lower collagen concentration than wild turkeys.
The process of domestication and selective breeding has transformed the turkey's musculoskeletal system. The pursuit of increased muscle mass and high growth rates has resulted in a bird that grows significantly faster and heavier than its wild cousins. This rapid growth has been associated with muscle damage, as seen in the study of breast and leg muscles, where degenerating muscle fibres were more prevalent in rapidly growing lines.
The selective breeding of domestic turkeys has not only altered their muscle structure and function but also their overall appearance and abilities. Domestic turkeys are notably larger and stockier, with thicker legs, making them unable to fly due to their increased weight. This is in stark contrast to wild turkeys, which are agile and capable of flying short distances, especially in their ideal habitat of open woodland or wooded grasslands.
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The lateral gastrocnemius muscle in a turkey's leg is important for walking
The gastrocnemius muscle is located at the back of the knee joint, with two large muscle bellies that can be felt on either side of the upper calf. The lateral gastrocnemius (LG) is a biarticular muscle, which means it acts on two joints: the ankle and the knee.
The LG muscle is important for walking in turkeys, as it is an ankle extensor. The ankle extensors in turkeys operate at low V/V(max). The muscle is also important for running, as it helps with locomotion. Researchers have studied the relationship between joint angle (knee and ankle separately) and muscle length in euthanized turkey specimens. They found that the length of the LG muscle is not solely determined by changes in joint kinematics. This indicates that muscle length change patterns are integrated with kinematics in locomotion.
The LG muscle has been studied in both wild and domestic turkeys. Domestic turkeys have been bred to have a body mass up to three times that of wild turkeys, with most individual muscles reaching a mass at least twice that of wild turkeys. The domestic turkey LG muscles can produce the same amount of force per a given area of muscle as wild turkeys, but they can only produce half as much force per unit body mass. This is because the domestic turkey muscle had a greater number of smaller muscle fibers than the wild turkey.
The LG muscle has also been studied in the context of running on different inclines and at different speeds. It was found that the average maximum predicted strain during stance in the LG is 15% higher than that measured with sonomicrometry. This indicates that the distal regions of the LG undergo more shortening than the proximal regions, which is similar to what has been observed in the human LG during walking.
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Muscle structure and blood enzyme activity are studied in rapidly growing turkeys
Selective breeding has led to domestic turkeys reaching a body mass up to three times that of their wild counterparts. This increase in body mass is largely due to larger muscles. As a result, researchers have studied muscle structure and blood enzyme activity in rapidly growing turkeys to better understand the changes in muscle composition and function.
In one study, researchers examined muscle structure and blood enzyme activity in turkeys up to 16 weeks of age. They found that muscle weights were generally proportional to body weight, except for the relatively larger superficial pectoralis (SP) muscles in the most rapidly growing line. Damaged muscle fibers were observed in all muscles, particularly in the SP of the breast, the gastrocnemius (GA), and other leg muscles. These damages became more prevalent as the turkeys aged from 10 to 16 weeks.
The study also revealed higher levels of plasma creatine kinase (CK) in the rapidly growing lines compared to slower-growing unselected lines. This indicates the presence of degenerating muscle fibers and supports the idea that a focal myopathy is associated with the rapid growth of turkeys. Focal myopathy is unrelated to deep pectoral myopathy or inherited muscular dystrophy in chickens.
Additionally, the lateral gastrocnemius (LG) muscle in domestic turkeys was found to have undergone structural changes due to selection for increased muscle mass. While the LG muscle in domestic turkeys can produce the same force per cross-sectional area as wild turkeys, it produces less force per unit body mass due to scaling. The muscle fibers in domestic turkeys were also found to be slightly smaller in cross-sectional area compared to those in wild turkeys.
These studies provide valuable insights into the structural and functional changes in turkey muscles associated with domestication and rapid growth. Understanding these changes is essential for improving the locomotor abilities and overall health of domestic turkeys, as well as for enhancing meat quality.
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Muscle weights are usually proportional to body weights, except for the superficial pectoralis muscles
Selective breeding for increased muscle mass has resulted in domestic turkeys with muscles twice the size of those found in wild turkeys. This has led to turkeys reaching a body mass three times that of their wild counterparts.
While muscle weights are usually proportional to body weights, this relationship does not hold for the superficial pectoralis muscles. The pectoralis major, also known as "pecs" or "chest muscle", is the largest and most superficial muscle in the chest area. It is a thick, fan-shaped muscle that lies underneath the breast tissue and forms the anterior wall of the axilla. The pectoralis major has two parts: the clavicular and the sternocostal, each with distinct functions. The clavicular part contributes to flexion, horizontal adduction, and inward rotation of the humerus, while the sternocostal part facilitates downward and forward movement of the arm, along with inward rotation during adduction.
The relatively larger superficial pectoralis muscles in rapidly growing turkey lines have been linked to focal myopathy. This condition is characterised by damaged muscle fibres, particularly in the pectoralis muscles of the breast, as well as the gastrocnemius and other leg muscles. As these turkeys age, the incidence of degenerating muscle fibres increases, impacting their locomotor abilities and overall health.
Injuries to the pectoralis major are relatively rare but can occur in weightlifters and athletes involved in high-impact contact sports. These injuries are typically characterised by pain, weakness, and disability, with lesions commonly found at the musculotendinous junction.
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Running turkeys' muscles and tendons absorb and release mechanical work to maintain cyclic movements
The muscles and tendons of running turkeys absorb and release mechanical work to maintain cyclic movements. This is achieved through the stretch and recoil of tendon and muscle springs, which supply mechanical work while active muscle fibres produce high forces. During level running, the active muscle shortens little and performs little work but provides the force necessary to support the body weight.
The lateral gastrocnemius muscle, an ankle extensor, is important for walking in turkeys. Studies have compared the lateral gastrocnemius muscle in wild and domestic turkeys, finding that the domestic turkey's muscle can produce the same amount of force per cross-sectional area as a wild turkey. However, due to their increased body mass, domestic turkeys produce less force per unit of body mass.
The tendon and muscle springs enable the turkey to store and recover cyclic changes in mechanical energy. This reduces the work required of the muscles, allowing them to operate more isometrically. The tendons also allow the muscles to produce high forces due to the force-velocity relation.
The mechanical function of the ankle extensors in wild turkeys shifts from energy production to energy absorption depending on the incline or decline of the surface they are running on. This ability to alter mechanical function is facilitated by the elastic energy storage and recovery in the tendons. During running accelerations, work is transferred directly from the muscles to the tendons, with the tendon stretch early in the step being powered by muscle shortening.
The muscles of turkeys selected for rapid growth have been found to exhibit damaged muscle fibres, particularly in the superficial pectoralis muscle of the breast and the gastrocnemius muscle of the leg. This is indicative of a focal myopathy associated with the rapid growth of turkeys.
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Frequently asked questions
A muscle turkey is a turkey that has been bred to have a body mass up to three times that of a wild turkey. This is achieved through artificial selection for high growth rates and increased muscle mass.
Muscle turkeys are bred to meet consumer demands for meat that is lean and high in protein.
Muscle turkeys are bred through artificial selection for high growth rates and increased muscle mass. This involves selecting turkeys with desirable traits and breeding them to pass on those traits to the next generation.
Breeding turkeys for increased muscle mass can result in a higher incidence of damaged muscle fibers, focal myopathy, and other health issues.
