Zilpaterol Hydrochloride Effects on Red Meat Yield and Quality

Zilpaterol hydrochloride is a β-adrenergic agonist, which belongs to a group of compounds known as catecholamines. β-Adrenergic agonists activate β-receptors in muscle and fat causing increased lipolysis, decreased lipogenesis or increased protein accretion (Mersmann, 1998), or both. β-Adrenergic agonists vary greatly in their effect on meat animals. Supplementation of diets with β-agonists can result in increased rate of weight gain, feed efficiency, leanness, and dressing percentage (Moody et al., 2000). Supplementation of β-agonists has also been shown to decrease marbling scores, increase Warner-Bratzler shear force, and adversely affect consumer sensory scores.