MANIPULATION OF ENDOGENOUS AND EXOGENOUS HORMONES FOR RED MEAT PRODUCTION

Growth and development of domestic livestock for red meat production are often discussed in the context of environmental factors, nutritional requirements, genetic potential and the anabolic agents affecting production efficiency. In this minireview, the effects of endogenous and exogenous hormones on animal growth are reviewed. The pituitary, pancreatic and gonadal hormones known to affect growth and(or) carcass composition are cited to illustrate and place into perspective the important contributions that the endocrine system makes to animal production. Manipulation of endogenous hormones through 1) administration of synthetic releasing and inhibiting peptides and 2) immunoneutralization techniques, will likely provide the livestock producer with new technological approaches for increasing red meat production. Researchers continue to evaluate the efficacy of natural and synthetic steroids, and combinations thereof, as suitable anabolic agents. In conclusion, several hormones of both endogenous and exogenous origin can be manipulated to improve or enhance growth and development of the meat-producing animal