Interpretive Summary: Harnessing the value of reproductive hormones in cattle production with considerations to animal welfare and human health

By: Holly C Evans, Elanie F Briggs, Randy H Burnett, Zully E Contreras-Correa, Morgan A Duvic, Lacey M Dysart, Alicia A Gilmore, Riley D Messman, Dana Reid, Muhammet Rasit Ugur, Abdullah Kaya, Erdogan Memili

The animal production industry is responsible for providing products like meat, dairy, and egg products to the growing human population of the world. Within each sector, there are production practices that can improve the overall productivity of the animals and contribute to their welfare. One such avenue for enhanced production is the inclusion of hormones. Hormones are naturally produced within the body by the endocrine system which helps initiate many life processes and transition the body to different stages of production. Hormones influence many important traits such as growth and development, milk production, fertility, and health within the cattle industry. Exogenous hormone use in animals has proven to improve a number of traits and qualities of animal products, but it has also struck up controversy. There are wide deficiencies in the full understanding of roles, applications, and implications of hormones in livestock, making it of high importance for further exploration. In this review, the mechanisms of hormones and their broad uses are explored to provide more context to the conversation of hormone use in animals. Knowledge of endocrinology is powerful and can aid in the advancement of fundamental science and animal development and production.