Abstract

Steroid implants have become an essential tool in modern beef production, enhancing growth performance, feed efficiency, and carcass quality in cattle. These implants, containing estrogenic or androgenic compounds, work by elevating circulating levels of somatotropin and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), stimulating muscle growth and improving nutrient utilization. The classification of implants by potency and release profile—coated vs. non-coated—plays a critical role in determining their effectiveness across various phases of cattle development. This review examines the impact of implant strategies during the nursing, stocker, finishing, and lifetime phases of beef cattle, with an emphasis on timing, formulation, and reimplantation protocols. The integration of implant use has shown to increase average daily gain, carcass weight, and feed conversion rates, particularly when using combined hormone treatments. However, improper application may result in reduced marbling, undesirable carcass traits, or implant-related abnormalities. Furthermore, lifetime implanting strategies and phase-specific protocols must consider factors such as nutrition, genetic potential, and production goals. Regulatory oversight ensures the safety of implants for human consumption, while environmental studies show that their use significantly reduces the carbon footprint, land usage, and water demand in beef production. Despite minor risks and management challenges, the economic and environmental benefits of steroid implants support their continued use. This review highlights the importance of strategic, science-based implanting practices to optimize performance, maintain meat quality, and sustain global beef production.

Keywords : Steroid implants, Beef cattle growth performance,Hormonal growth promotants, Carcass quality, Sustainable beef production