Feeding Melengestrol Acetate to Bulls Prior to and at Puberty Alters Body Weight, and Hormone Concentration

Authors

April Tefler, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Ryann McFee, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Rebecca C. Bott, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Joseph Schulz, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Debra T. Clopton, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Jeffrey W. Bergman, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Karl V. Moline, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Kathy Hanford, University of Nebraska–LincolnFollow
Andrea S. Cupp, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow

Date of this Version

1-1-2006

Comments

Published in 2006 Nebraska Beef Cattle Report. Copyright © 2005 The Board of Regents of the University of Nebraska.

Abstract

Melengestrol acetate (MGA), which is commonly used in the beef industry to manipulate ovarian activity of females, was fed to bulls at two times during development, prepubertal (5.5 to 7.5 months) and peri-pubertal (6.5 to 9.5 months), to determine effects on testes size, scrotal circumference, body weight, and/or hormone production. We can conclude that feeding bulls MGA during the prepubertal and peri-pubertal time can alter body weight and testosterone production.