Anabolic agents in beef production: Effects on muscle traits and meat quality

Abstract

The effects of combined oestradiol and trenbolone acetate implants have been investigated. Meat tenderness, juiciness and flavour were assessed by trained taste panelists and 16 variables related to muscle biochemistry and composition and ageing kinetics parameters were analysed on Longissimus dorsi and Triceps brachii caput longum muscles from 24 months old treated and control Charolais steers. Increases in carcass weight and mean daily weight gain, generally observed following such treatment, were confirmed. Furthermore, meat quality traits and ageing rate were significantly correlated with muscle typing parameters. Factorial discriminant analysis of data revealed that muscle typing (isomyosin 3 content) and composition (dry matter and lipid content) as well as NRM relaxation time of meat water (T2b) and ageing rate were the most affected by treatment. In addition, the hormone effect appeared to be muscle dependent.