J. Anim Sci.
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J. Anim Sci. 1974. 39:680-686.
© 1974 American Society of Animal Science
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Effects of Endogenous Testosterone on Production and Carcass Traits in Beef Cattle1

S. R. Gortsema2, J. A. Jacobs, R. G. Sasser, T. L. Gregory and R. C. Bull

University of Idaho3, Moscow 83843

Abstract

Thirty-nine male crossbred calves (Angus-Hereford) were divided equally into three treatment groups to determine the influence of endogenous testosterone on feedlot performance. Steers, normal bulls and short-scrotum (SS) bulls were fed to approximately 450 kilograms. At the end of the feeding period, average daily gain (ADG), feed efficiency, carcass cutability, plasma testosterone and consumer acceptance were determined.

Intact males (normal or SS bulls) gained weight more rapidly (P< .05) and efficiently (P< .05) than steers. Feed efficiency in this study was highly correlated with average daily gain, cold carcass weight per day of age and yield grade. Although quality grade favored the steers (P< .05), all cutability traits significantly (P< .05) favored the intact males. Warner-Bratzler shear values indicated that meat from steers was significantly (P< .05) more tender than that from intact males; however, consumer questionnaires indicated that all treatment groups fell within an acceptable tenderness range.

Radioimmunoassay results showed that plasma levels of testosterone in short scrotum bulls were not significantly (P< .05) different from those of normal bulls.

Footnotes

1 Journal article 7345 of the Idaho Agricultural Experiment Station, University of Idaho, Moscow, 83843.

2 Present address: Route 1, Grangeville, Idaho 83530.

3 Department of Animal Industries.






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Copyright © 1974 by the American Society of Animal Science.