Oxidative stress-induced changes in wooden breast and mitigation strategies: A review

Wooden breast (WB) is a multifactorial muscular abnormality resulting from the interplay between genetic predispositions for rapid growth, physiological stress, and anatomical impairments. This myopathy has been a persistent challenge in the poultry industry since its initial identification a decade ago. WB negatively impacts meat quality, leading to increased toughness and reduced nutritional value. Building on foundational research utilizing multiomics technologies, hypoxia-induced oxidative stress has been identified as a key early event driving the pathological processes of WB. This review provides a comprehensive overview and the state-of-the-art evidence on the pivotal role of oxidative stress in WB myopathy. It begins by examining the generation of reactive intermediates that induce oxidative damage and the host's defense mechanisms aimed at mitigating these threats. The discussion then focuses on the consequences of oxidative damage for mitochondria, protein and lipid oxidation, connective tissue remodeling, and inflammation—pathological hallmarks of WB-affected muscles. Additionally, the review highlights how oxidative stress influences satellite cell behavior, impairing the repair and regeneration of muscle tissues, a process implicated in WB. Finally, efforts to prevent or mitigate WB myopathy are summarized, with particular attention to potential intervention strategies targeting oxidative stress. These include innovative feed formulations and gut microbiota modulation, which show promise in alleviating the severity of the condition.