Effects of immunization against GnRH, melengestrol acetate, and a trenbolene acetate/estradiol implant on growth and carcass characteristics of beef heifers.

A 2 x 3 factorial experiment was conducted to determine the effects of an implant (trenbolene acetate/estradiol or no implant) and method of estrus suppression (immunization against GnRH, melengestrol acetate, or no suppression) on growth performance and carcass characteristics of heifers fed for slaughter. At the start of a 21-d feed adaption phase, crossbred beef heifers (n = 144, 390+/-2.8 kg) were given their first dose of an anti-GnRH vaccine or started on melengestrol acetate (MGA). Thereafter, heifers were fed a high-concentrate diet (78% barley grain) for 84 d (Days 0 to 83), received implants on Day 0, a second vaccination on Day 21, and were slaughtered on Days 84 or 85. Implanting increased average daily gain (1.72 vs 1.50 kg/d, P < 0.01), feed efficiency (6.02 vs 6.75 kg dry matter intake/kg gain, P < 0.01), preslaughter weight (532 vs 513 kg, P < 0.01), carcass weight (301 vs 289 kg, P < 0.01), and ribeye area (88.6 vs 85.9 cm2, P < 0.05), but had no affect (P > 0.05) on dry matter intake, grade fat thickness, marbling score, or lean yield. Compared to heifers fed MGA, those immunized against GnRH had a greater ribeye area (90.0 vs 84.6 cm2) and lean yield (63 vs 61%), and had thinner grade fat (7.5 vs 8.6 mm; P < 0.05 for each). Furthermore, immunized heifers had lower (P < 0.001) plasma progesterone concentrations than control heifers on Days 42, 63 and 83. Heifers fed MGA had less estrus mounting activity (P < 0.05) and lower plasma progesterone concentrations (P < 0.001) than the remaining heifers. Method of estrus suppression did not affect (P > 0.05) preslaughter weight, average daily gain, dry matter intake, feed efficiency, carcass weight, or marbling score. In conclusion, implanting significantly increased growth performance and preslaughter and carcass weights. Compared to heifers fed MGA, immunization against GnRH significantly increased ribeye area and lean yield, and reduced grade fat thickness