Effect of low doses of dexamethasone on productive traits and meat quality of veal calves

An experimental administration of dexamethasone was carried out on 15 veal calves in order to assess the role of low doses of exogenous glucocorticoids on productive traits and meat quality. Three groups of five veal calves each were formed: one group received oral dexamethasone (0.4 mg/calf/day for 25 days), another intramuscular (I.M.) dexamethasone (2 mg at days 14 and 21), and the third was the control. Calves were slaughtered at 165 days of age. Feed conversion ratio (FCR), hot dressing percentage (HDP), chilled dressing percentage (CDP) and shrinkage were determined. From all carcasses samples of m. longissimus thoracis (between the 8th and 10th rib) were taken in order to evaluate the chemical composition and some organoleptic ch 1 aracteristics: meat colour, water holding capacity and tenderness.The animals treated with oral dexamethasone showed the lowest daily weight gain (P<0•05) and the highest FCR (P<0•05). Hot dressing percentage, cold dressing percentage and shrinkage were not affected by the oral treatment. The I.M. injections of dexamethasone did not influence the overall performance. Muscle chemical composition and pH were not affected by the treatments; the meat of calves treated with oral dexamethasone was significantly lighter (P<0•05) and tendentially paler, while I.M. treatment induced intermediate characteristics. The shear force of the meat was rather low. Shear force of animals treated with both oral and I.M. dexamethasone was significantly lower than the control (P<0•05). Treatment with dexamethasone I.M. induced a decrease in water holding capacity; adversely the oral treatment had no effect on this parameter.