The disclosure provides improved neutralizing anti-GDF-8 antibodies capable of substantially higher levels of expression in host cells compared to previous anti-GDF-8 antibodies. Also provided are methods of using compositions comprising such antibodies to increase muscle mass or strength, and to treat or prevent muscular disorders, neuromuscular disorders, metabolic disorders, adipose tissue disorders or bone disorders.本發明提供經改良之中和性抗GDF-8抗體,其能在宿主細胞中以顯著高於先前抗GDF-8抗體之程度表現。本發明亦提供使用包含該等抗體之組合物增加肌肉質量或強度及治療或預防肌肉病症、神經肌肉病症、代謝性病症、脂肪組織病症或骨病之方法。