The Effects of Castration, Implant Protocol, and Supplementation of Bos indicus-Influenced Beef Cattle under Tropical Savanna Conditions on Growth Performance, Carcass Characteristics, and Meat Quality

Abstract

The effects of castration, supplementation, and implant protocol (IP) on growth, carcass characteristics, and meat quality of grass-fed cattle were evaluated. Two experiments followed a two-way ANOVA and a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement. Experiment-I, 99 bulls were evaluated for: (a) supplementation (mineral (MS) or strategic protein-energy supplementation (SS)), and (b) IP (repeated (day-0 and day-90) Zeranol-72 mg implantation (Zeranol–Zeranol) or Trenbolone Acetate-140 mg/Estradiol-20 mg (day-0) followed by Zeranol-72 mg (day-90) (TBA/E2–Zeranol)). Experiment II, 50 animals were evaluated for: (a) IP (like Experiment-I), and (b) male class (steers vs. bulls). In Experiment-I, SS bulls had greater growth rate, carcass yield, and yield of high-valued boneless lean cuts than MS bulls, while decreasing (p < 0.05) time to harvest. Steaks from SS-bulls on TBA/E2–Zeranol IP were more (p = 0.05) tender than SS/Zeranol–Zeranol counterparts. Experiment-II bulls had greater growth than steers, but decreased (p < 0.05) carcass quality aspects. Zeranol–Zeranol increased (p < 0.01) meat tenderness of steers. Interactions (p < 0.05) affected cutability (Experiment-II) and meat sensory traits (Experiment-I/II). The SS improved growth, carcass yield, and shortened days until harvest of bulls, while TBA/E2–Zeranol IP positively affected tenderness in bull meat only. Castration improved carcass quality while the implant effects on cutability and tenderness were male-class dependent.

Crecimiento, características de la canal y calidad de carne de toros jóvenes de tres biotipos sometidos a reimplante y suplementación en sabana tropical mejorada

“…Dado que los resultados del ANOVA para los efec tos fijos de modelo de suplementación (SUP) y tipo de reimplante (RIMPL), y de la interacción de primer orden (SUP x RIMPL) ya habían sido publicados (HuertaLeidenz et al, 2021(HuertaLeidenz et al, , 2022, los mismos fueron ignorados en el presente reporte.…”

Effects of gender and slaughter age on physicochemical and quality traits of Korean Hanwoo striploin

“…Older animals typically produce tougher meat than younger ones, while gender plays a role in muscle growth, meat color, lipid deposition, and other quality traits [ 8 ]. Meat from steers and heifers typically shows more marbling than meat from bulls, making them more tender and superior in terms of eating quality [ 9 ].…”

Differences in toughness and aging potential of longissimus lumborum muscles between Hanwoo cow, bull and steer

“…Gender, as a function of sexual hormones, is an important factor influencing the growth pattern, fat, and protein depositions in carcass as a function of sexual hormones [ 7 ]. Steer and heifer meat generally have a higher marbling level, so they are tender [ 8 ], and better eating quality [ 9 ] compared to bull meat. Hence, efforts to improve the eating quality especially tenderness of bull meat is needed.…”