Implanting young bulls and steers with trenbolone acetate and zeranol
(Ralgro ®) resulted in increased slaughter weights and carcasses that tended to
have more marbling than those of control bulls. Furthermore, steaks from both
implanted bulls and implanted steers tended to have less detectable connective
tissue. Control bulls had larger scrotal circumferences and heavier testicle weights
than implanted bulls. Other secondary sex characteristics were not affected, but in
these bulls slaughtered at an average age of 13.6 months, sexual development was minimal. Implanting steers with trenbolone acetate and zeranol resulted in
performance and carcass and meat quality slightly superior to control bulls.
