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A note on the effect of castration on the growth performance and concentrations of some blood metabolites and hormones in British Friesian male cattle

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 September 2010

H. Galbraith ,
D. G. Dempster  and
T. B. Miller
H. Galbraith
Affiliation:
School of Agriculture, 581 King Street, Aberdeen AB9 1UD
D. G. Dempster
Affiliation:
School of Agriculture, 581 King Street, Aberdeen AB9 1UD
T. B. Miller
Affiliation:
School of Agriculture, 581 King Street, Aberdeen AB9 1UD
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Abstract

Eight British Friesian bulls and eight steers were compared in terms of performance and levels of metabolites and hormones in circulating blood. Under conditions of generous nutrition the bulls grew significantly more quickly, exhibited a superior feed conversion efficiency and had lower levels of serum albumin and plasma urea and higher levels of serum growth hormone and prolactin than the steers. Differences in levels of plasma glucose and free fatty acids and serum total protein and insulin were not significant. It is suggested that the superior growth performance of the bulls is due, at least partially, to hormonally mediated differences in nitrogen metabolism that result in a greater deposition of lean tissue and hence increased weight gain.

Type
Research Article
Information
Animal Production , Volume 26 , Issue 3 , June 1978 , pp. 339 - 342
Copyright
Copyright © British Society of Animal Science 1978

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References

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