Abstract
The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of combining immunocastration and β-adrenergic agonists (β-AA) on blood metabolites and their correlations with performance and carcass traits of Nellore cattle. Ninety-six Nellore males were distributed in a randomized block design with a 2×3 factorial arrangement. The factors were two sexual conditions (immunocastrated and non-castrated), and three diets (control, with no inclusion of β-AA; RH, with 300 mg of ractopamine hydrochloride/d; and ZH, with 80 mg of zilpaterol hydrochloride/animal/d). [...]
Highlights
Castration is an alternative used worldwide to improve carcass fat deposition
No significant sexual condition × β-adrenergic agonists (β-AA) supplementation × time on feed interactions or sexual condition × time on feed interactions were observed for any trait
An interaction between sexual condition and β-AA supplementation was observed for the Non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) concentrations (P = 0.014; Table 3)
Summary
Castration is an alternative used worldwide to improve carcass fat deposition. surgical castration is associated with pain and harm to animal welfare (González et al, 2010; Gregory and Ford, 1983). Despite the benefits of castration on docility (Katz, 2007) and meat quality (Miguel et al, 2014; Gómez et al, 2017), bulls are more efficient in gaining muscle mass than steers, which is attributable to the effects of testosterone. Β-adrenergic agonists are non-hormonal growth promoters that induce muscle hypertrophy in supplemented animals by increasing muscle protein synthesis and/or decreasing protein breakdown (Dunshea et al, 2005). Their use induces lower carcass fat deposition by increasing lipolysis and decreasing lipogenesis (Dunshea et al, 2005)
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