ABSTRACT
New technologies and research have produced products such as anabolic implants that are very important for increasing the efficiency of meat production. This chapter discusses one of these implants called RALGRO ("RAL" stands for resorcylic acid lactone and "GRO" for growth). RALGRO, a brand name for zeranol, is an implant in the form of pellets per dose. According to the United Nations, the agricultural percentage of the total gross domestic product is 13% for Argentina, 10% for Brazil, 28% for Colombia, and 7% for Venezuela. Brazil could produce 372 million kg more beef with one implant, and another 744 million kg more beef with two implants. Taking into consideration that 40% of the total cattle population throughout Latin America could be implanted with this anabolic agent, the economical implications due to the increase of meat production would provide more animal protein for the developing world.
