Study effect of beta agonists on carcass traits and meat quality of Nellore using ultrasound

• Grant number: 13/07082-2
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: June 01, 2013
• End date: May 31, 2014
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Animal Husbandry - Animal Production
• Principal Investigator: Saulo da Luz e Silva
• Grantee: Mariana Zanata
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Zootecnia e Engenharia de Alimentos (FZEA). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Pirassununga , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The aim of this research is to evaluate the effect of the use of hydrochloride of zilpaterol and ractopamine on carcass characteristics and meat quality of beef cattle. Forty-eight Nellore non-castrated males of Nellore will be breed for 90 days with a diet containing 85% of concentrate and 15% of roughage. After this period will be divided in three groups (n=16) and are feed with three different diets: diet without (CON), diet containing 80 mg of zilpaterol/day (ZIL) and 200 mg hydrochloride of ractopamine/day (RAC). The treatments ZIL and RAC will be offered for 30 days. During all the trial period, will be evaluate on performance and carcass characteristics. Every 28 days, animals will be weighed, and ultrasound scanned, Ribeye area (AOLU), backfat thickness (EGSU) and the fat thickness over Biceps femoris muscle (EGPU).KEYWORDS: Loin eye area, subcutaneous fat thickness, ractopamine, zilpaterol. (AU)