AVS 274 - Growth Promoters

Growth Promotors

Substances administered to cattle to enhance growth performance.

Estradiol

A hormone used as a growth promoter approved in 1956 for cattle.

Trenbolone Acetate

An androgenic growth promoter approved in 1987 for cattle use.

Melengesterol Acetate (MGA)

A synthetic progestin approved in 1977 for use in cattle.

Beta-agonists

A class of drugs that enhance muscle growth and feed efficiency in cattle.

Feed Efficiency

The ratio of weight gain to feed intake; an important measure of growth performance.

Implant Administration

The process of placing growth-promoting hormone implants in cattle.

Androgens

Male hormones such as testosterone that are used to promote muscle growth.

Progestins

Hormones, such as progesterone, that are involved in regulating growth and reproduction in cattle.

Somatotropin

A growth hormone that stimulates growth and production of IGF-1 in cattle.

Insulin-like Growth Factor 1 (IGF-1)

A hormone that promotes muscle and bone growth stimulated by growth hormones.

Estrogenic Activity

The ability of a compound to mimic the effects of estrogen in the body.

Warner-Bratzler Shear Force (WBSF)

A measure of meat tenderness; lower values indicate more tender meat.

Nonimplanted Control

Cattle that have not received growth-promoting implants used for comparative studies.

Hot Carcass Weight (HCW)

The weight of a cattle carcass after processing, important for evaluating growth.

Withdrawal Time

The time required between the last drug treatment and when the animal can enter the food supply.

Esterogenic Implants

A type of implant that contains estrogen or estrogen-like compounds to enhance growth.

Beta-2 Agonists

A subset of beta-agonists that primarily reduce protein degradation in cattle.

Optaflexx

A beta-agonist (ractopamine hydrochloride) approved for use in cattle to enhance growth.

Zilmax

A beta-agonist (zilpaterol hydrochloride) approved for beef cattle to improve growth performance.

Dosage

The specific amount of a substance (e.g., hormone or beta-agonist) administered to cattle for growth promotion.

Economic Justification

The financial rationale for using growth-promoting implants in beef production.

Implant Timing

The strategic timing of hormone implantation to maximize growth benefits in cattle.

Feed/Gain Ratio

The amount of feed required for each unit of weight gain; an important efficiency metric.

Carcass Quality

The characteristics of the meat after slaughter including tenderness, marbling, and yield.