Effect of prenatal androgenization on growth performance and carcass characteristics of steers and heifers.

K. C. DeHaan, L. L. Berger, D. J. Kesler, F. K. McKeith, D. B. Faulkner, G. F. Cmarik

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    13 Scopus citations

    Abstract

    Two experiments were conducted in which pregnant crossbred cows were randomly assigned to a control group or implanted with testosterone propionate/silastic implants between d 110 and 140 of gestation in Exp. 1 and between d 80 and 110 of gestation in Exp. 2. Androgenized heifers (TH) and treated steers (TS), born to implanted dams, possessed similar birth weights compared with control heifers (CH) and steers (CS), respectively, in both experiments. In Exp. 1, yield grades were lower (P less than .05) for TH than for CH. In Exp. 2, TH possessed 9.4% greater (P less than .07) 205-d adjusted weaning weights and 9.8% heavier (P less than .05) adjusted yearling weights than CH. In Exp. 2, daily gain was 19.5% faster (P less than .05) and feed intake was 13.6% greater (P less than .05) for TH than for CH. In Exp. 2, TH possessed less (P less than .05) s.c. fat, greater (P less than .10) carcass weight gains and lower (P less than .05) yield grades than CH. Liver weight per unit of carcass weight was greater (P less than .07) for TH than for CH in Exp. 2. Androgenized heifers had lower (P less than .07) lipid content in the 9-10-11th rib section than did CH. Calving intervals were similar for implanted and nonimplanted cows in both experiments. Results from these two trials suggest that efficiency of heifers for producing carcass beef can be improved by prenatal testosterone exposure.

    Original languageEnglish (US)
    Pages (from-to)1864-1870
    Number of pages7
    JournalJournal of animal science
    Volume66
    Issue number8
    DOIs
    StatePublished - Aug 1988

    ASJC Scopus subject areas

    • Food Science
    • Animal Science and Zoology
    • Genetics

    Fingerprint

    Dive into the research topics of 'Effect of prenatal androgenization on growth performance and carcass characteristics of steers and heifers.'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

    Cite this