Anabolic implant effects on steer performance, carcass traits, subprimal yields, and longissimus muscle properties

J Anim Sci. 1997 May;75(5):1256-65. doi: 10.2527/1997.7551256x.

Abstract

Crossbred steers (n = 140; 353 kg) were implanted as follows: (C) control, no implant; (S) Synovex-S (20 mg estradiol benzoate + 200 mg progesterone); (R) Revalor (20 mg estradiol + 140 mg trenbolone acetate [TBA]; international dosage); (ST) S + finaplix-S (140 mg TBA); (STT) S + finaplix-S with finaplix-S reimplanted on d 58. Steers were harvested after 119 to 126 d on feed. Left sides of 40 carcasses were fabricated into boneless subprimals for two s.c. fat levels: 2.5 and .64 cm. Steers administered an estrogen (estradiol benzoate or estradiol) plus TBA gained more rapidly (P < .05) than C or S steers. Feed efficiency was improved (P < .05) with an estrogen plus TBA. No differences (P > .05) were noted among treatments for carcass s.c. fat thickness, percentage internal fat, or lean color. Carcasses from steers receiving TBA had larger (P < .05) longissimus areas and tended to have lower (P < .10) marbling scores and yield grades than C or S steers. Steers implanted with R had a lower (P < .05) percentage of U. S. Choice carcasses (51.8%) than C, S, and ST steers (82 to 86%). Shear force values for implanted steers tended to be higher (P < .10) than for controls. Implants increased (P < .05) subprimal and total side lean yields (.64 cm) compared to controls; the largest increases of 2.3 and 2.8%, respectively, occurred in steers receiving TBA plus an estrogen. Estrogen plus TBA exhibited favorable effects on gain, efficiency, and composition; however, the single estradiol plus TBA implant (R) decreased quality grade.

MeSH terms

  • Anabolic Agents / administration & dosage
  • Anabolic Agents / pharmacology*
  • Animals
  • Body Composition / drug effects*
  • Body Composition / physiology
  • Body Weight / physiology
  • Cattle / growth & development*
  • Cattle / physiology
  • Cooking
  • Drug Combinations
  • Drug Implants
  • Estradiol / administration & dosage
  • Estradiol / analogs & derivatives*
  • Estradiol / pharmacology*
  • Food Technology / methods
  • Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
  • Male
  • Meat / standards*
  • Muscle, Skeletal / drug effects*
  • Muscle, Skeletal / physiology
  • Progesterone / administration & dosage
  • Progesterone / pharmacology*
  • Trenbolone Acetate / administration & dosage
  • Trenbolone Acetate / analogs & derivatives*
  • Trenbolone Acetate / pharmacology

Substances

  • Anabolic Agents
  • Drug Combinations
  • Drug Implants
  • Progesterone
  • Estradiol
  • estradiol benzoate, progesterone drug combination
  • Trenbolone Acetate