Effect of trenbolone acetate alone and in combination with oestradiol-17β for reducing weight loss in cattle

Abstract

The effect of various doses of trenbolone acetate, either atone or in combination with oestradiol-17G, on liveweight loss of steers fed restricted amounts of low-quality roughage was determined in a series of experiments. It was found that for steers of 350-400 kg liveweight, a dose of at least 300 mg trenbolone acetate had to be used for significant reduction of the rate of weight loss. Treatment with 300 and 400 mg trenbolone acetate significantly (P < 0.01) reduced concentrations of plasma urea-N. It was also shown that steers grazing dry season pasture and implanted with 300 mg trenbolone acetate lost significantly (P < 0.001) less weight than their untreated counterparts (-8 v. -14 kg). Regardless of dose, trenbolone acetate in combination with oestradiol-17P did not significantly reduce the rate of weight loss or plasma urea-N concentration. The importance of these results in terms of the likely use of trenbolone acetate in cattle in the northern Australian dry season is discussed.