Table: Natural Steroid Hormones for Consideration as Growth Promoters - Merck Veterinary Manual

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Natural Steroid Hormones for Consideration as Growth Promoters

Natural Steroid Hormones for Consideration as Growth Promoters

Hormone	Form^a	Dosage	Duration of Effect (days)	Growth Response	Potential Adverse Effects
Estradiol	1 - Pellet	20 mg EB^b + 200 mg P4^c (steers)	100–120	10%–15%	Transient increase in sexual behavior
Estradiol	2 - Pellet	20 mg EB + 200 mg testosterone propionate (heifers, cull cows)	100–120	5%–15%	Udder development
Estradiol	3 - Pellet	10 mg EB + 100 mg P4 (veal calves)	100–120	0–8%
Estradiol	4 - Silastic rubber	45 mg estradiol (steers)	365	10%–15%	Transient increase in sexual behavior
Estradiol	5 - Silastic rubber	24 mg estradiol (steers)	200	10%–15%	Transient increase in sexual behavior
Estradiol	6 - Polylactic acid	28 mg estradiol (steers)	365	10%–15%	Transient increase in sexual behavior
Progesterone	See 1 and 3 above
Testosterone	See 2 above
^a Implants must be placed SC between the ear cartilage and skin to comply with label instructions so that consumption of residues may be avoided.
^b Estradiol benzoate
^c Progesterone