J. Anim Sci.
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J. Anim Sci. 1971. 32:628-635.
© 1971 American Society of Animal Science
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Some Carcass Quality and Endocrine Criteria of Holstein Heifers Fed Melengestrol Acetate1

R. W. Purchas2, A. M. Pearson3, D. E. Pritchard4, H. D. Hafs5 and H. A. Tucker5

Michigan State University, East Lansing 48823

Abstract

Body composition, tenderness, growth hormone levels, thyroid activity and adrenal cortical activity were measured after feeding melengestrol acetate (MGA) to Holstein heifers. MGA was administered at 0.45 mg per animal per day either from 2.5 months of age or from first estrus. The heifers were fed corn silage and hay ad libitum in addition to either 0.9 or 4.5 kg grain per head daily and killed at first estrus or at breeding size.

MGA feeding increased growth rates by 9.95% (P<.05) in one analysis. Mean jugular growth hormone level was significantly lower in MGA treated animals, and was significantly and negatively related to growth rate. The results suggested that MGA may preferentially stimulate the growth of lean tissue. Adrenal weights were significantly reduced in animals receiving MGA in one analysis. Plasma cortisol, adrenal cortisol and adrenal corticosterone concentrations, and adrenal fasiculata layer widths were significant (P<.05) less in animals fed MGA than in comparable animals without MGA.

Footnotes

1 Michigan Agricultural Experiment Station Journal Article No. 4986. This research was supported in part by U.S.P.H.S. Research Grant HD-01374 and by grants-in-aid from The Upjohn Company, Kalamazoo. Michigan and from The Nutrition Foundation, Inc., 99 Park Avenue. New York, N. Y.

2 Present address: M. C. Franklin Laboratory, University of Sydney, Camden, N.S.W., Australia.

3 Department of Food Science, Michigan State University.

4 Present address: Ohio Agr. Research and Development Center. Wooster, Ohio 44691.

5 Dairy Department, Michigan State University.






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Copyright © 1971 by the American Society of Animal Science.