Embodiments of the present invention are generally related to genetically modified microorganisms. More specifically, embodiments of the present invention relate to genetically modified microorganisms having the avian follistatin genome engineered therein to create a microorganism strain having the enhanced properties of follistatin. In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a method of treating an individual with a muscle degenerative disease comprises administering an effective amount of avian follistatin, wherein the avian follistatin is derived from a genetically modified microorganism.
