Some Endocrine Influences on the Growth and Carcass Quality of Holstein Heifers

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Abstract
Relationships between carcass composition, tenderness and growth rates and growth hormone levels, corticosteroid levels, and thyroid activity were investigated in 50 Holstein heifers slaughtered at a wither height of 120 centimeters. The means of seven jugular plasma GH levels at monthly intervals from 4 to 10 months of age were significantly higher in heifers fed 0.9 kg than in heifers fed 4.5 kg grain daily (P<.05), and were negatively related to growth rate (P<.01). Heifers with high levels of pituitary GH at slaughter had less fat. Plasma and adrenal levels of corticosteroids were negatively related with growth rates (P<.01) and with tenderness (P<.01). Thus, endocrine secretions may influence not only growth but also carcass composition and meat tenderness. Copyright © 1971. American Society of Animal Science . Copyright 1971 by American Society of Animal Science.

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