Effects of zeranol implantation and late castration on sexual, agonistic and handling behavior in male feedlot cattle.
Seventy-two Angus feedlot bulls were observed to determine the effects of implanting with zeranol (0, 36 or 72 mg; four groups of six/level) at 8 mo of age (d 0), and of castration midway through the feedlot period (d 115) vs remaining intact (six groups/treatment) on sexual, agonistic and handling behaviors. All 36-mg-treated cattle were re-implanted (36 mg) on d 112; 72-mg-treated cattle were not re-implanted. Each group was observed for a total of 8 h at the time of sunset +/- 30 min for sexual and agonistic behaviors during the trial. Observations on handling were made during 15 weighings and on seven occasions in the pens of the animals. Zeranol did not affect sexual or agonistic behavior. Before imposition of castration, implanted bulls entered the scales more quickly, took longer to stand still on the scales and were less quiet than non-implanted bulls (P less than .05). Castration decreased the sexual behaviors of masturbation (.75 vs .08 X pen-1 X h-1; P less than .05), attempted mounts (.75 vs .33 X pen-1 X h-1; P less than .05) and chinning (10.70 vs 4.75 X pen-1 X pen-1; P less than .10) and the agonistic behavior of butting (42.42 vs 31.50 X pen-1 X h-1; P less than .01) in contrast to intact bulls. Castrated animals entered (P less than .10) and exited (P less than .05) the scales more quickly than did intact males.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
D000818:Animals; D001522:Behavior, Animal / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D002417:Cattle; D004343:Drug Implants; D006234:Handling, Psychological; D008297:Male; D009919:Orchiectomy / Q000662:veterinary*; D012118:Resorcinols / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012726:Sexual Behavior, Animal / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D015029:Zeranol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*
D004343:Drug Implants; D012118:Resorcinols; D015029:Zeranol