Evaluation of Dienestrol Diacetate (Lipamone ) Supplementation of Broiler Finisher Feeds on Pigmentation, Growth Characteristics and Market Quality

SINCE as early as 1939 it has been known that estrogenic compounds can cause increased fat content of muscle tissue. Lorenz (1945) showed that the subcutaneous implantation of diethystilbestrol (DES) in three-week old cockerels resulted in a fattening effect. Similar beneficial effects from the use of DES have been reported by other workers, however; as of December, 1959, this product has not been approved for use in poultry. Dienestrol diacetate, an estrogenic compound available for use in poultry, has been investigated by a number of workers, but with contradictory results. Boone et al. (1961) found that the addition of dienestrol diacetate to the feed the last three weeks of the growing period increased body weights and abdominal fat deposits of nine-week old broilers, but that feed efficiency, fleshing and finish were unaffected. Begin and Grainger (1957) found no differences in weight gains of broilers fed dienestrol diacetate from five to…