Work

Effect of Guanidinoacetic Acid and Zilpaterol Hydrochloride Feed Additions on Lambs’ Productive Performance, Carcass Characteristics, and Blood Chemistry

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: This study evaluated the effects of dietary supplementation with guanidinoacetic acid (GAA) and zilpaterol hydrochloride (ZLH) on productive performance, carcass traits, and blood chemistry in non-castrated male lambs over 60 days. Twenty-four Pelibuey × Dorper crossbred lambs (16.3 ± 2.7 kg) were adapted to housing and diet for 14 days before being randomly assigned to one of three treatments: (1) Control: total mixed ration (TMR) without additives; (2) GAA: TMR with 0.06% GAA; and (3) ZLH: TMR with 6 mg/kg dry matter (DM) of ZLH for the last 30 days. No significant differences were observed in productive performance or carcass traits among treatments. However, lambs fed GAA showed higher serum glucose and creatinine levels than the control group (p < 0.05), suggesting a potential effect on energy metabolism. ZLH supplementation had no measurable impact on the parameters evaluated. These findings indicate that while GAA may influence certain metabolic indicators, further research with extended feeding periods or varying dosages is needed to clarify its effects on growth and carcass characteristics in lambs.

Source: Animals

DOI: 10.3390/ani15121692

Authors: Daniel López-Aguirre, Javier Hernández-Meléndez, José F. Vázquez-Armijo, Luz Y. Peña-Avelino, Jorge Alva-Pérez

Institutions: Autonomous University of Tamaulipas, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de México

Language: English

Topic: Pharmacological Effects and Assays

Subfield: Animal Science and Zoology

Field: Agricultural and Biological Sciences

Domain: Life Sciences

SDG: Zero hunger

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,896