Hormone secretory patterns, pituitary characteristics and selected blood metabolites in feedlot steers implanted with growth stimulants

Twelve Charolais-crossbred steers (256 kg) received one of three treatments: nonimplanted controls (C), implanted initially and at 84 days with 36 mg zeranol (Ralgro, R) and implanted initially and at 84 days with 200 mg of progesterone and 20 mg of estradiol benzoate (Synovex-S,S). All steers were fed a corn-based diet (calculated metabolizable energy 2.89 Mcal/kg dry matter) ad libitum. In a parallel comparative slaughter trial, rates of empty body protein accretion were increased 14% in R and 24% in S steers (P less than .01). R and S steers in the present study had heavier pituitary weights (P less than .001), more pituitary growth hormone content (P less than .04) and more pituitary weight/unit live weight (P less than .05) than did C steers. Cattle implanted with R or S exhibited an increased growth hormone (GH) secretory response to a pituitary challenge with thyrotropin releasing hormone (TRH). Plasma insulin profiles were not significantly altered, but tended to be greater for steers given implants. Overall 9-hr GH secretory profiles were not affected by implantation. Plasma urea N at 94 days post-implantation was decreased (P less than .01) by implantation. Plasma glucose was increased (P less than .04) at both 94 and 199 days in R and S vs C steers. Overall mean and total (integrated area) plasma GH, as well as secretory profile components (baseline mean, amplitude of secretory spikes) were negatively correlated with body weight and size on days 94 and 199. Overall mean, baseline and integrated area of plasma insulin on days 94 and 199 were positively related to body weight and size. Thus positive protein anabolic growth responses from implantation (parallel comparative slaughter trial) were coupled with increased pituitary GH content and little change in circulating plasma GH concentrations between implanted and control steers. This may suggest that changes in tissue sensitivity, an increased plasma clearance rate of GH and/or a direct effect on target tissues may be involved in the improved growth performance of cattle implanted with R or S.