Register      Login
Animal Production Science Animal Production Science Society
Food, fibre and pharmaceuticals from animals
RESEARCH ARTICLE

Feedlot performance, carcass characteristics and meat quality of Zebu heifers supplemented with two β-adrenergic agonists

F. J. Meraz-Murillo A , L. Avendaño-Reyes A E , C. Pérez-Linares B , F. Figueroa-Saavedra B , V. Torres-Rodríguez A , J. E. Guerra-Liera C , M. Mellado D and U. Macías-Cruz A
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A Instituto de Ciencias Agrícolas, Universidad Autónoma de Baja California, Ejido Nuevo León, Baja California 21705, México.

B Instituto de Investigaciones en Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad Autónoma de Baja California, Mexicali, Baja California 21383, México.

C Facultad de Agronomía, Universidad Autónoma de Sinaloa, Culiacán, Sinaloa 80000, México.

D Departamento de Nutrición Animal, Universidad Autónoma Agraria Antonio Narro, Saltillo, Coahuila 25315, México.

E Corresponding author. Email: lar62@hotmail.com

Animal Production Science 57(10) 2125-2132 https://doi.org/10.1071/AN15369
Submitted: 11 July 2015  Accepted: 6 June 2016   Published: 25 August 2016

Abstract

The aim was to evaluate effects of administration of two β-adrenergic agonists (β-AA) on growth performance, carcass characteristics and meat-quality traits of Zebu heifers finished in a feedlot. Fifty-four Zebu heifers weighing 397 ± 29.1 kg were used in a randomised complete block design with three treatments and six blocks (i.e. 18 pens with 3 heifers per pen). Treatments were as follows: (1) control (C; no supplement); (2) zilpaterol hydrochloride (ZH; 60 mg per heifer per day); and (3) ractopamine hydrochloride (RH; 300 mg per heifer per day). The β-AA were added to the diets during the final 33 days of the finishing period, after which the heifers were immediately slaughtered. Relative to C, average daily gain and gain : feed ratio were improved (P < 0.05) in heifers supplemented with ZH, but not in those supplemented with RH. Feed intake in C heifers was lower (P < 0.05) than in ZH heifers, but similar (P > 0.05) to RH heifers. The hot carcass weight showed a trend to be heavier (P = 0.096) in ZH than in C heifers. However, Longissimus dorsi (LM) area was increased (P < 0.05) by ZH (73.94 cm2), but RH (70.45 cm2) and C (66.3 cm2) groups had a similar (P > 0.05) LM area. The meat from the ZH- and RH-supplemented heifers had higher Warner–Bratzler shear-force values (P < 0.01) than that from C heifers (ZH = 5.11; RH = 5.50; C = 4.89 kg/cm2), and the meat from RH-supplemented heifers was classified as ‘tough’. Variables associated with meat colour indicated that ZH led to a lower b* average, which was related to a lighter LM area than in C. In general, feedlot performance was enhanced only by the β-AA ZH, with meat tenderness from RH heifers classified as ‘tough’. Meat colour was not altered by β-AA supplementation. These data suggested that while ZH supplementation to Bos indicus heifers offered advantages in feedlot performance and some carcass traits, RH supplementation did not positively affect these biological responses.

Additional keywords: Bos indicus, carcass traits, ractopamine, zilpaterol.


References

AMEG (2014) Acuerdan fortalecer estrategias ganaderas Baja California y Sonora. Asociación Asociación Mexicana de Engordadores de Ganado Bovino, A.C. Available at http://www.ameg.org.mx/noticias/nuevo-article-page-3466/ [Verified 6 March 2015]

Avendaño-Reyes L, Torres-Rodríguez V, Meraz-Murillo FJ, Pérez-Linares C, Figueroa-Saavedra F, Robinson PH (2006) Effects of two β-adrenergic agonists on finishing performance, carcass characteristics, and meat quality of feedlot steers. Journal of Animal Science 84, 3259–3265.
Effects of two β-adrenergic agonists on finishing performance, carcass characteristics, and meat quality of feedlot steers.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 17093218PubMed |

Baxa TJ, Hutcheson JP, Miller MF, Brooks JC, Nichols WT, Streeter MN, Yates DA, Johnson JB (2010) Additive effects of a steroidal implant and zilpaterol hydrochloride on feedlot performance, carcass characteristics, and skeletal muscle messenger ribonucleic acid abundance in finishing steers. Journal of Animal Science 88, 330–337.
Additive effects of a steroidal implant and zilpaterol hydrochloride on feedlot performance, carcass characteristics, and skeletal muscle messenger ribonucleic acid abundance in finishing steers.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC3cXls1yqug%3D%3D&md5=1258e43a9ad3346ce17f26ffd001b879CAS | 19783693PubMed |

Bloomberg BD, Mafi GG, Pye BJ, Wahrmund JL, Richards CJ, Morgan JB, VanOverbeke DL (2014) Impact of health management, health treatments, and zilpaterol hydrochloride supplementation on carcass quality, color, and palatability traits in heifers. Journal of Animal Science 91, 3465–3473.
Impact of health management, health treatments, and zilpaterol hydrochloride supplementation on carcass quality, color, and palatability traits in heifers.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Boggs DL, Merkel RA (1993) Beef carcass evluation, grading, and pricing. In ‘Live animal carcass evaluation and selection manual.’ (Eds DL Boggs, RA Merkel) pp. 105. (Kendall Hunt Publishing Co.: Dubuque, IA)

Bryant TC, Engle TE, Galyean ML, Wagner JJ, Tatum JD, Anthony RV, Laudert SV (2010) Effects of ractopamine and trenbolone acetate implants with or without estradiol on growth performance, carcass characteristics, adipogenic enzyme activity, and blood metabolites in feedlot steers and heifers. Journal of Animal Science 88, 4102–4119.
Effects of ractopamine and trenbolone acetate implants with or without estradiol on growth performance, carcass characteristics, adipogenic enzyme activity, and blood metabolites in feedlot steers and heifers.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC3cXhsFGnsrnP&md5=21d10495e14ece88201389589162e032CAS | 20729282PubMed |

Delmore RJ, Hodgen JM, Johnson BJ (2010) Perspectives on the application of zilpaterol hydrochloride in the United States beef industry. Journal of Animal Science 88, 2825–2828.
Perspectives on the application of zilpaterol hydrochloride in the United States beef industry.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC3cXpvVOrt7c%3D&md5=4d0ce1d606a8a44e3226240f4a8309cdCAS | 20382871PubMed |

Garmyn AJ, Miller MF (2014) Implant and beta agonist impacts on beef palatability. Journal of Animal Science 92, 10–20.
Implant and beta agonist impacts on beef palatability.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC2cXht12ntrY%3D&md5=d74bf773a3cebf1c65b35bcc3074607aCAS | 24158364PubMed |

Garmyn AJ, Shook JN, VanOverbeke DL, Beckett JL, Delmore RJ, Yates DA, Allen DM, Hilton GG (2010) The effects of zilpaterol hydrochloride on carcass cutability and tenderness of calf-fed Holstein steers. Journal of Animal Science 88, 2476–2485.
The effects of zilpaterol hydrochloride on carcass cutability and tenderness of calf-fed Holstein steers.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC3cXos1KmtrY%3D&md5=7b813bc0d4fb865ddbcea6b9703f3977CAS | 20382878PubMed |

Gonzalez JM, Dijkhuis RD, Johnson DD, Carter JN, Johnson SE (2008) Differential response of cull cow muscles to the hypertrophic actions of ractopamine-hydrogen chloride. Journal of Animal Science 86, 3568–3574.
Differential response of cull cow muscles to the hypertrophic actions of ractopamine-hydrogen chloride.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD1cXhsV2jsbrE&md5=ceb3ba95136cbc34a81df371126a508cCAS | 18708600PubMed |

Griffin WA, Erickson GE, Dicke BD, Klopfenstein TJ, Cooper RJ, Jordon DJ, Swingle RS, Moseley WM, Sides GE, Weigel DJ (2009) Effects of ractopamine (Optaflexx) fed in combination with melengestrol acetate on feedlot heifer performance. The Professional Animal Scientist 25, 33–40.
Effects of ractopamine (Optaflexx) fed in combination with melengestrol acetate on feedlot heifer performance.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Gruber SL, Platter WJ, Tatum JD, Engle TE, Mitchell MA, Laudert SB, Schroeder AL, Platter WJ (2007) Characteristics of feedlot steers differing in biological type: effects of ractopamine supplementation on growth performance and carcass. Journal of Animal Science 85, 1809–1815.
Characteristics of feedlot steers differing in biological type: effects of ractopamine supplementation on growth performance and carcass.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD2sXntV2msbk%3D&md5=4d053732d64e62156eeb8644cec673a8CAS | 17431043PubMed |

Holmer SF, Brooks JC, Zinn RA, Hilton GG, Dikeman ME, Streeter MN, Allen DM, Yates DA, Hutcheson JP, Nicols WT, VanOverbeke DL, Souzam CM, Boler DD, Fernandez-Duenas DM, Scramlin SM, McKeith FK, Beckett JL, Lawrence TE, Killefer J, Delmore RJ (2009) The effect of zilpaterol hydrochloride on meat quality of calf-fed Holstein steers. Journal of Animal Science 87, 3730–3738.

Honikel KO, Hamm R (1994) Measurement of water-holding capacity and juiciness. In ‘Quality attributes and their measurement in meat, poultry and fish products’. (Eds AM Pearson, TR Dutson) pp. 125–161. (Blackie Academic and Professional: Glasgow, UK)

Koohmaraie M, Geesink GH (2006) Contribution of postmortem muscle biochemistry to the delivery of consistent meat quality with particular focus on the calpain system. Meat Science 74, 34–43.
Contribution of postmortem muscle biochemistry to the delivery of consistent meat quality with particular focus on the calpain system.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD28Xms1Grsbk%3D&md5=46f22420e278d12acd02a86c68dedff5CAS | 22062714PubMed |

Korn KT, Lemenager RP, Claeys MC, Engstrom M, Schoonmaker JP (2013a) Supplemental vitamin D3 and zilpaterol hydrochloride. I. Effect on performance, carcass traits, tenderness, and vitamin D metabolites of feedlot steers. Journal of Animal Science 91, 3322–3331.
Supplemental vitamin D3 and zilpaterol hydrochloride. I. Effect on performance, carcass traits, tenderness, and vitamin D metabolites of feedlot steers.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC3sXhtFChsLfP&md5=9677e9214a37ad442221b488f5050bd7CAS | 23798522PubMed |

Korn KT, Lemenager RP, Claeys MC, Waddell JN, Engstrom M, Schoonmaker JP (2013b) Supplemental vitamin D3 and zilpaterol hydrochloride II. Effect on calcium concentration, muscle fiber type, and calpain gene expression of feedlot steers. Journal of Animal Science 91, 3332–3340.
Supplemental vitamin D3 and zilpaterol hydrochloride II. Effect on calcium concentration, muscle fiber type, and calpain gene expression of feedlot steers.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC3sXhtFChsLfJ&md5=5f20db5dd40a5acba0be40e201aae532CAS | 23798523PubMed |

Kristensen L, Purslow (2001) The effect of ageing on the water-holding capacity of pork: role of cytoskeletal proteins. Meat Science 58, 17–23.
The effect of ageing on the water-holding capacity of pork: role of cytoskeletal proteins.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD3MXntlyjsw%3D%3D&md5=a9cd6aa218e9179baf825d21136113fdCAS | 22061914PubMed |

Lean IJ, Thompson JM, Dunshea FR (2014) A meta-analysis of zilpaterol and ractopamine effects on feedlot performance, carcass traits and shear strength of meat in cattle. PLoS One 9, e115904
A meta-analysis of zilpaterol and ractopamine effects on feedlot performance, carcass traits and shear strength of meat in cattle.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 25548908PubMed |

Leheska JM, Montgomery JL, Krehbiel CR, Yates DA, Hutcheson JP, Nichols WT, Streeter M, Blanton JR, Miller MF (2009) Dietary zilpaterol hydrochloride. II. Carcass composition and meat palatability of beef cattle. Journal of Animal Science 87, 1384–1393.
Dietary zilpaterol hydrochloride. II. Carcass composition and meat palatability of beef cattle.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD1MXjsFKis7c%3D&md5=10e6ab2de9d0882f67a1afdb5e5f68bfCAS | 18849379PubMed |

Littell RC, Milliken GA, Stroup WW, Wolfinger RD (1996) ‘SAS system for mixed models.’ (SAS Institute Inc.: Cary, NC)

Maxwell CL, Bernhard BC, O’Neill CF, Wilson BK, Hixon CG, Haviland CL, Grimes AN, Calvo-Lorenzo MS, VanOverbeke DL, Mafi GG, Richards CJ, Step DL, Holland BP, Krehbiel CR (2015) Effect of technology use in feedlot production systems on feedlot performance and carcass characteristics. Journal of Animal Science 93, 1340–1349.
Effect of technology use in feedlot production systems on feedlot performance and carcass characteristics.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC2MXntVGisrg%3D&md5=ea524f3aadfa6471eb0b2f47806ddf8fCAS | 26020911PubMed |

Miller MF, Carr MA, Ramsey CB, Crockett KL, Hoover LC (2001) Consumer thresholds for establishing the value of beef tenderness. Journal of Animal Science 79, 3062–3068.

Montgomery JL, Krehbiel CR, Craston JJ, Yates DA, Hutcheson JJ, Nichols WT, Streeter MN, Bechtol DT, Johnson E, Terhune T, Montgomery TH (2009) Dietary zilpatherol hydrochloride. I. Feedlot performance and carcass traits of steers and heifers. Journal of Animal Science 87, 1374–1383.
Dietary zilpatherol hydrochloride. I. Feedlot performance and carcass traits of steers and heifers.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD1MXjsFKis7Y%3D&md5=8e8e8445709af9f0864f9a4291080857CAS | 19098247PubMed |

Peel DS (2014) ‘The North American beef cow and heifer situation.’ Cow/Calf Corner, The Newsletter 15 December 2014. (Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service: Stillwater, OK)

Quinn MJ, Reinhardt CD, Loe ER, Depenbusch BE, Corrigan ME, May ML, Drouillard JS (2008) The effects of ractopamine-hydrogen chloride (Optaflexx™) on performance, carcass characteristics, and meat quality of finishing feedlot heifers. Journal of Animal Science 86, 902–908.
The effects of ractopamine-hydrogen chloride (Optaflexx™) on performance, carcass characteristics, and meat quality of finishing feedlot heifers.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD1cXjvFerurs%3D&md5=e2d9ce150fba95a25a9e7958798f0669CAS | 18192549PubMed |

Rathmann RJ, Bernhard BC, Swingle RS, Lawrence TS, Nichols WT, Yates DA, Hutcheson JP, Streeter MN, Brooks JC, Miller MF, Johnson BJ (2012) Effects of zilpaterol hydrochloride and days on the finishing diet on feedlot performance, carcass characteristics, and tenderness in beef heifers. Journal of Animal Science 90, 3301–3311.
Effects of zilpaterol hydrochloride and days on the finishing diet on feedlot performance, carcass characteristics, and tenderness in beef heifers.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC38XhsVKku7fM&md5=bd35c33c96269901d972633314b1700eCAS | 22871933PubMed |

SAGARPA (2009) ‘Proyecciones para el Sector Agropecuario de México. Escenario base 2009–2018.’ (AFPC–FAPRI, Subsecretaría de Fomento a los Agronegocios: México, DF)

SAGARPA (2015) SENASICA: normas oficiales Mexicanas en materia de salud animal. Available at http://www.senasica.gob.mx/?id=787 [Verified 15 April 2014]

SAS (2004) ‘SAS/STAT: user’s guide software released 9.12.’ (SAS Institute Inc.: Cary, NC)

Schroeder AL, Polser DM, Laudert SB, Vogel GJ (2004) The effect of Optaflexx™ on growth performance and carcass traits of steers and heifers. In ‘Proceedings of the 19th annual southwest nutrition and management conference’. (Eds JM Rice, DF Caldwell, FJ Humenik) pp. 65–81. (University of Arizona: Phoenix, AZ)

Valdés-García YS, Aguilera-Soto JI, Barreras A, Estrada-Angulo A, Gómez-Vázquez A, Plascencia A, Ríos FG, Reyes JJ, Stuart J, Torrentera NG (2011) Comportamiento del crecimiento y características de la canal de novillas en lote seco alimentadas con diferentes niveles de levadura viva enriquecida con cromo o con clorhidrato de zilpaterol. Revista Cubana de Ciencia Agrícola 45, 361–368.

Van Donkersgoed J, Royan G, Berg J, Hutcheson J, Brown M (2011) Comparative effects of zilpaterol hydrochloride and ractopamine hydrochloride on growth performance, carcass characteristics, and longissimus tenderness of feedlot heifers fed barley based diets. The Professional Animal Scientist 27, 116–121.
Comparative effects of zilpaterol hydrochloride and ractopamine hydrochloride on growth performance, carcass characteristics, and longissimus tenderness of feedlot heifers fed barley based diets.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Vasconcelos JT, Rathmann RJ, Reuter RR, Leibovich J, McMeniman JP, Hales KE, Covey TL, Miller MF, Nichols WT, Galyean ML (2008) Effects of duration of zilpaterol hydrochloride feeding and days on the finishing diet on feedlot cattle performance and carcass traits. Journal of Animal Science 86, 2005–2015.
Effects of duration of zilpaterol hydrochloride feeding and days on the finishing diet on feedlot cattle performance and carcass traits.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD1cXpt12hsbc%3D&md5=c0fff4438502bfd402b6465285f764c9CAS | 18469048PubMed |

Voisinet BD, Grandin T, Tatum JD, O’Connor SF, Struthers JJ (1997) Feedlot cattle with calm temperaments have higher average daily gains than cattle with excitable temperaments. Journal of Animal Science 75, 892–896.

Walker DK, Titgemeyer EC, Drouillard JS, Loe ER, Depenbusch BE, Webb AS (2006) Effects of ractopamine and protein source on growth performance and carcass characteristics of feedlot heifers. Journal of Animal Science 84, 2795–2800.
Effects of ractopamine and protein source on growth performance and carcass characteristics of feedlot heifers.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD28XhtVartL7I&md5=6442d7913c07dc980e9b118ba3390edaCAS | 16971581PubMed |

Winterholler SJ, Parsons GL, Walker DK, Quinn MJ, Drouillard JS, Johnson BJ (2008) Effect of feedlot management system on response to ractopamine–HCl in yearling steers. Journal of Animal Science 86, 2401–2414.
Effect of feedlot management system on response to ractopamine–HCl in yearling steers.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD1cXhtFansbrE&md5=eb4bb678c4d3cfcacd2b558855d09485CAS | 18469052PubMed |