Are there known side-effects of myostatin in meat and body building?

  • Thread starter Golgot
  • Start date
In summary, there is a paper documenting the myostatin knockout mouse but it does not mention any behavioral changes, and it is unclear if myostatin products have been used in the meat and bodybuilding industries.
  • #1
Golgot
Hi all,

Does anyone know where I can get some concrete information on the original experiments with mice which had their myostatin gene knocked out (I believe, altho myostatin "blocking" seems to be the technique that is now prefered) ...and here's the important bit...they gained 2-3 times the normal muscle mass, but also became notably unaggressive/timid. I have several sources containing circumstantial evidence, but none of the original investigators seem to have documented these findings.

Can anyone help?

Also, does anyone know whether myostatin products have really found their way into the meat industries and body building communities (plus do you know of any known or potential side-effects involved).

Thanks for any help

Tom
 
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  • #2
This reference appears to the be the original paper describing the myostatin knockout mouse (myostatin was previously named GDF-8): https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9139826

The paper does not mention any behavioral phenotypes, though that would not be evidence that such phenotypes do not exist.
 

1. What is Myostatin?

Myostatin is a protein that regulates muscle growth and development in animals, including mice.

2. How does Myostatin affect mice?

In mice, Myostatin deficiency has been shown to increase muscle mass and improve muscle function. On the other hand, overexpression of Myostatin can lead to muscle atrophy and weakness.

3. Can Myostatin be manipulated in mice?

Yes, Myostatin can be manipulated in mice through genetic engineering techniques. This allows scientists to study the effects of Myostatin on muscle development and function.

4. How does Myostatin relate to meat production?

Myostatin plays a role in regulating muscle growth in livestock as well. Some farmers have used Myostatin mutations to selectively breed animals with increased muscle mass, resulting in leaner and larger cuts of meat.

5. Are there any potential health concerns associated with consuming meat from Myostatin-manipulated animals?

Currently, there is no evidence to suggest that consuming meat from Myostatin-manipulated animals poses any health risks. However, more research is needed to fully understand the long-term effects of these mutations on animal health and meat quality.

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