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Abstract
Myostatin, a negative regulator of muscle cell growth, is highly conserved across species. The loss of functional Myostatin is known to cause the "double-muscled" phenotype in several cattle breeds, and similar phenotypes in other species. For nearly 200 years, double-muscled animals have captured the attention of livestock breeders and researchers, boasting enlarged musculature but beset by production difficulties. With the advent of transgenic technology, researchers have created a "knockout" mouse model with which to efficiently explore the biochemical pathways and influences of Myostatin. Research involving this model has both agricultural and biomedical applications, and involves several cell growth and regulation mechanisms. Analysis of growth and development patterns in Myostatin-null mice is necessary to link these findings with past research. Developmental patterns for adult Myostatin knockout mice are well-defined, however, early patterns of growth were not previously delineated. We found variations between GDF-8+/+ and GDF-8-/- mice 4-12 weeks of age.