What Is Bovine Somatotropin?

There has been a lot of controversy surrounding the use use of the hormone bovine somatropin (BST) in both dairy and beef cattle. The tide is flowing in favor of more natural foods and against the use of hormones to promote growth and milk production. Several studies, both federal and private, have been done on this hormone and none have linked it to any adverse affects on consumers. There are questions of cattle health, such as weight loss, but so far other factors have not been ruled out as the culprit.

  1. Definition

    • BST is a hormone in cattle that increases milk production and aids in the growth and development of the animal. It is commonly called the bovine growth hormone. This hormone is produced in the pituitary gland. Every mammal has a hormone similar to BST. This hormone is important for the growth and development of all mammals. This hormone has been available on the market for more than 20 years. Until just a few years ago, the only way to get this hormone was from slaughtered cattle. With advances in technology, scientists have replicated this hormone and it is now used to increase milk production on dairy farms worldwide.

    How it Works

    • On the farm, the hormone must be injected into dairy cows at least twice a day. The hormone stimulates the blood to carry increased amount of nutrients and make them available for milk production. More energy goes toward milk production, and more milk is produced. Early reports are that the average production is increased by up to 11 percent when BST was given on a regular basis.

    Effects on Cows

    • The effects on treated cattle are the same as on nontreated, high-producing cattle. Weight loss is common because of the diverted nutrients. There have been negative reports of the effects of BST on cattle reproduction. Cattle health is directly linked to their ability to reproduce. If BST is given and extra nutrients are not made available to the cow, its health may suffer.

    Saftey

    • Naturally, concerns have been expressed about the safety of the milk consumed from a BST-treated cow. BST is a natural hormone already found in all milk. Studies have found that as soon as the hormone hits the harsh environment of the human digestive tract, it is broken down into amino acids.
      According to the National Institute of Health, treated milk is the same as milk from a nontreated cow. Studies have shown that the hormone BST is inactive in humans. There have been no studies that have shown any side effects from drinking milk from treated cattle.

    Economics

    • At this point, the use of BST not popular. The hormone costs as much as the extra milk produced is worth, so farmers break even, making it not worth the effort. Dairy farmers are also worried that if the use of BST becomes common, then the national milk supply would increase and the milk prices will decrease. BST has not been used in a wide enough area to estimate the effects on market production and milk costs.