The comparison of three β-agonists for growth performance, carcass characteristics and meat quality of feedlot cattle
- 17 October 2008
- journal article
- Published by Elsevier BV in Meat Science
- Vol. 81 (3), 557-564
- https://doi.org/10.1016/j.meatsci.2008.10.011
Abstract
Forty-eight Bonsmara steers were assigned to three treatment groups and one control group consisting of 12 animals each. The control (C) received no β-agonist, while the three treatment groups received zilpaterol (6 ppm) (Z), ractopamine (30 ppm) (R) or clenbuterol (2 ppm) (Cl) for the last thirty days on feed. Growth performance (final 30 days), USDA quality and yield grades and meat quality (shear force, chemical, histological and biochemical) were compared for the three β-agonist and control groups. Animals responded negatively to Cl treatment during initial stages of supplementation, which was evident in lower feed consumption and initial growth rates. For carcass growth and yield, Cl had greater and more efficient growth rates, higher dressed out yields (proportional), lower USDA yield grades, and reduced marbling compared with C (P < 0.05). For meat quality measurements, the M. longissimus (LL) and M. semitendinosus (ST) were sampled. Cl had the greatest effect (P < 0.05) on WBSF, especially on the LL, followed by Z. Variation in tenderness and ageing effects corresponded with variation in calpastatin activity and myofibrillar fragmentation between treatment groups. While zilpaterol and ractopamine are currently the only products registered for cattle in different countries, it seems that zilpaterol has an advantage in carcass growth efficiency and yield without showing any adaptation problems for animals such as experienced by the more aggressive β-agonist clenbuterol.Keywords
This publication has 38 references indexed in Scilit:
- Effects of dietary factors and other metabolic modifiers on quality and nutritional value of meatMeat Science, 2005
- Calpains from thaw rigor muscleMeat Science, 1996
- Effects of dietary clenbuterol and salbutamol on meat quality in veal calvesMeat Science, 1995
- Performance, muscle composition and meat texture in veal calves administered a β-agonist (clenbuterol)Meat Science, 1993
- The effect of ractopamine on myofibre distribution and morphology and their relation to meat quality in swineMeat Science, 1992
- Muscle composition of steers treated with the β-agonist, cimaterolMeat Science, 1990
- Effects of bovine pituitary growth hormone alone or in combination with the β-agonist clenbuterol on muscle growth and composition in veal calvesBritish Journal of Nutrition, 1990
- Side effects of clenbuterol as a repartitioning agentPublished by Wiley ,1987
- The effect of electrical stimulation on the quality of three bovine musclesMeat Science, 1986
- Sarcomere shortening of prerigor muscles and its influence on drip lossMeat Science, 1986