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Plasma Testosterone and LH Responses to LHRH in Double-Muscled Bulls Treated with Trenbolone Acetate and Zeranol¹

Agronomic Research Centre, Husbandry Station, Gembloux B-5800, Belgium

Abstract

Twenty-four double-muscled Belgian White Blue bulls were assigned, according to body weight, to two groups with and without treatment with anabolic agents. Implants containing 140 mg trenbolone and 36 mg zeranol (Forplix) were inserted sc on the upper face of the ear flap. Plasma concentrations of teststerone and luteinizing hormone (LH) were determined at d 0, 30 and 60 of the experimental period. Mean testosterone levels at d 0 for treated and controls were, respectively, 2.1 and 1.7 ng/ml during the 10-h sampling period. At d 30 and 60, testosterone levels were strongly depressed in implanted bulls (.2 ng/ml) as compared with 2.5 and 1.7 ng/ml in control bulls (P<.001 at d 30 and P<.01 at d 60). Average plasma LH concentrations were identical in the two groups at d 0 and 60 (1.1 and 1.5 ng/ml, respectively), but showed a slight decrease at d 30 in the treated group (P<.10). The pulsatile character of LH and testosterone profiles was abolished by the Forplix treatment. Luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) injection at d 0 was followed in both groups by an immediate and sharp increase in plasma LH concentrations. The LH response reached a maximal value between 20 to 40 min postinjection and then declined rapidly. On the contrary, Forplix treatment strongly reduced LH and testosterone responses to LHRH stimulation in treated animals. Average daily gain and feed to gain ratios were 1.087 ± .127 and 7.52 ± .32 kg, respectively, for the control bulls and 1.335 ± .092 and 6.24 ± .24 kg for the Forplix-treated bulls, thus clearly showing a beneficial effect of Forplix treatment.

¹ Acknowledgements: the authors thank Roussel-Uclaf for a generous gift of Forplix.

² Station de Zootechnie, Centre de Recherches Agronomiques, Route de Liroux, Gembloux B-5800, Belgium.

³ Chaire de Zootechnie et Physiologie Animale, Faculte des Sciences Agronomiques; Gembloux B-5800, Belgium.