Effect of anabolic implants on adrenal cortisol synthesis in feedlot beef cattle implanted early or late in the finishing phase

• Use of implants early or late in the finishing phase reduces serum cortisol.
• Expression of genes regulating cortisol synthesis was similar among implant groups.
• Serum cortisol is not a reliable marker of stress in implanted cattle.

Implantation of anabolic steroids to increase growth rate in beef cattle impacts adrenal glucocorticoid production. The mechanism by which combination androgen and estrogen implants reduce cortisol biosynthesis in heifers is not clear. The objective of this study was to identify whether pituitary or adrenal gene expression and liver enzyme activity may contribute to altered serum cortisol concentrations in heifers receiving a combination implant. On d 0 of a 122-d finishing phase, 187 predominantly Angus heifers (361 kg) approximately 14 months old were randomly assigned to one of three implant groups: (1) non-implanted control, (2) implanted at the beginning of the finishing phase (d 0; early implant) with a combination implant (200 mg TBA + 20 mg E2; Revalor 200®), and (3) implanted during the late stage of the finishing phase (d 56; late implant) with Revalor 200®. At d 56, body weight (BW) was greater (P < 0.0001) for the early implanted heifers (456 ± 1.9 kg) compared to 437 and 435 (± 1.8) kg for control and late implanted heifers, respectively. Final BW (d 122) was similar between both implanted groups and heavier than non-implanted controls (P < 0.0001). Serum cortisol was similar among groups at d 0 (P = 0.86) however, by d 28 heifers receiving the combination implant had reduced (P < 0.05) serum cortisol concentrations (31.2 ng/mL) compared to controls (49.4 ng/mL) and late (48.2 ng/mL) groups. On d 84 cortisol was similar (P = 0.75) among implanted heifers and was less (P < 0.01) than non-implanted heifers. Expression of pituitary and adrenal genes involved in glucocorticoid synthesis was evaluated at d 28/29 or 84/85; however, despite decreased serum cortisol in implanted heifers, no change in mRNA expression was demonstrated. Liver CYP3A enzyme activity at d 28/29 was decreased 59% in early implanted heifers compared to control heifers (P = 0.01). Additionally, at d 84/85 AKR1C activity was greatest (P = 0.01) in control heifers compared to both implanted groups. Data suggest that components of hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis are influenced by exposure to exogenous hormones and this should be recognized when considering cortisol levels as a marker for stress response.