title: Muscle composition of steers treated with the β-agonist, cimaterol.
abstract: The effect of the β-adrenergic agonist, cimaterol, on the nature and amount of collagen in three individual muscles (Longissimus dorsi, Vastus lateralis and Semitendinosus) from young steers was investigated. β-Agonist-treated animals showed similar rates of liveweight gain to those of control animals but the weight and protein content of the Longissimus dorsi and Vastus lateralis muscles were significantly increased (muscle weights 1216 versus 1494 g, P < 0·05; 514 versus 642 g, P < 0·01, respectively, for control and cimaterol animals). The Semitendinosus muscle, however, showed no significant increase in weight or protein content (P > 0·05). The total collagen content and the proportion of heat-soluble collagen varied considerably between muscles, but no significant muscle × treatment interactions were detected (P > 0·05). Cimaterol treatment reduced total muscle collagen content (controls 15·2, cimaterol 12·5mg/g fresh tissue, P < 0·05) and also reduced the percentage of heat-soluble collagen (controls 18·9%, cimaterol 13·0%, P < 0·05).
authors: Department of Applied Biochemistry and Food Science, University of Nottingham School of Agriculture, Sutton Bonington, Loughborough, Leicestershire, LE12 5RD, UK.
authors: J M
authors: JM
authors: Dawson
authors: P J
authors: PJ
authors: Buttery
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Gill
authors: D E
authors: DE
authors: Beever