Muscle specific differences in the regulation of myogenic differentiation in chickens genetically selected for divergent growth rates

► We compared myogenesis in chicken strains of divergent post-hatch growth rates. ► Broilers showed raised embryonic activity from ED8 and were heavier by hatch. ► mRNA levels of MyoD, myogenin and IGF-I were altered in a muscle-dependant manner. ► Cellular characteristics were altered accordingly.