Zilpaterol

Zilpaterol

Zilpaterol is a beta-2 adrenergic agonist that is used in veterinary medicine to increase the size of cattle and to improve the efficiency of feed conversion. It is marketed under the brand name Zilmax by Merck Animal Health.

History

Zilpaterol was first developed in the 1980s by Roussel Uclaf, a French pharmaceutical company. It was later acquired by Hoechst AG, which merged with Rhone-Poulenc in 1999 to form Aventis. In 2007, Aventis sold its animal health division to Merck & Co., which currently markets Zilpaterol under the brand name Zilmax.

Pharmacology

Zilpaterol is a beta-2 adrenergic agonist, which means it stimulates the beta-2 adrenergic receptors in the body. These receptors are found in the lungs, heart, and skeletal muscle, and when activated, they cause the muscles to relax and dilate. This results in increased muscle mass and improved feed conversion efficiency in cattle.

Use in Veterinary Medicine

Zilpaterol is approved for use in cattle in several countries, including the United States, Canada, and South Africa. It is administered in the feed for a period of 20 to 40 days prior to slaughter. The use of Zilpaterol has been controversial due to concerns about animal welfare and potential effects on meat quality.

Controversies

In 2013, several major beef processors in the United States, including Tyson Foods and Cargill, announced that they would no longer accept cattle that had been fed Zilpaterol, citing concerns about animal welfare and potential effects on meat quality. This led to a temporary suspension of sales of Zilmax in the United States and Canada by Merck Animal Health.

See Also

• Beta-2 adrenergic agonist
• Veterinary medicine
• Merck Animal Health