Table 1.

Summary of descriptors for each treatment comparison used in the meta-analysis including a list of authors, year of publication, number of animals in the reference and treatment comparisons, sex of cattle, name of first hormonal implant used, use of multiple implants (yes or no), the number of days beef was aged, the number of days cattle were fed, and the mean WBSF for the reference and treatment groups

Author	Year	Number of animals		Sexa	Hormonal implant 1	Multiple implants	TBAb use	Days aged	Days fed	Mean WBSFc, kg
		Reference	Treatment							Reference	Treatment
Apple et al.	1991	3	3	S	Ralgro	No	No	6	249	4.01	4.01
Apple et al.	1991	3	3	S	Synovex-S	No	No	6	249	4.01	3.93
Apple et al.	1991	3	3	S	Finaplix-S	No	Yes	6	249	4.01	4.06
Apple et al.	1991	3	3	S	Finaplix-S	Yes	Yes	6	249	4.01	4.35
Apple et al.	1991	3	3	S	Finaplix-S	Yes	Yes	6	249	4.01	4.30
Barham et al.	2003	1368	660	S	Synovex-S	Yes	No	3	210	3.44	3.57
Barham et al.	2003	1368	720	S	Synovex-S	Yes	Yes	3	210	3.44	3.51
Boles et al.	2009	32	32	S/H	Ralgro	Yes	Yes		120	5.90	6.50
Boles et al.	2009	37	37	S/H	Vet Life	No	Yes		120	6.80	7.90
Cafe et al.	2010	83	81	S/H	Revalor-H	No	Yes	1	117	7.59	8.42
Cafe et al.	2010	83	81	S/H	Revalor-H	No	Yes	7	117	7.29	7.66
Cafe et al.	2010	83	81	S/H	Revalor-H	No	Yes	1	117	4.55	4.90
Cafe et al.	2010	83	81	S/H	Revalor-H	No	Yes	7	117	4.50	4.84
Cafe et al.	2010	71	72	S	Revalor-H	No	Yes	1	80	4.98	5.59
Cafe et al.	2010	71	72	S	Revalor-H	No	Yes	7	80	4.77	5.41
Cafe et al.	2010	71	72	S	Revalor-H	No	Yes	1	80	5.19	5.65
Cafe et al.	2010	71	72	S	Revalor-H	No	Yes	7	80	4.54	4.87
Calkins et al.	1986	4	4	B	Ralgro	Yes	No	10	232	2.31	2.32
Calkins et al.	1986	4	4	S	Ralgro	Yes	No	10	232	2.16	2.31
Calkins et al.	1986	4	4	B	Compudose 200	Yes	No	10	232	2.31	2.20
Calkins et al.	1986	4	4	S	Compudose 200	Yes	No	10	232	2.16	2.33
Cheatham et al.	2008	5	5	S	Ralgro	Yes	No	2	259	1.98	2.14
Cheatham et al.	2008	5	5	S	Ralgro	Yes	Yes	2	259	1.98	2.25
Cheatham et al.	2008	5	4	S	Ralgro	Yes	Yes	2	259	1.98	2.52
Ebarb et al.	2016	11	11	H	Component TE-200	No	No	35	75	4.37	4.52
Ebarb et al.	2017	11	11	H	Component TE-200	No	No	2	90	5.09	5.54
Ebarb et al.	2017	11	11	H	Component TE-200	No	No	7	90	4.27	4.78
Foutz et al.	1997	4	4	S	Synovex-S	No	Yes	7	119–126	4.00	4.43
Foutz et al.	1997	4	4	S	Revalor	No	Yes	7	119–127	4.00	4.32
Foutz et al.	1997	4	4	S	Finaplix-S	No	Yes	7	119–128	4.00	4.12
Foutz et al.	1997	4	4	S	Finaplix-S	Yes	Yes	7	119–129	4.00	4.41
Garmyn et al.	2011	16	16	S	Revalor-S	No	Yes	7	152–174	2.43	2.79
Garmyn et al.	2011	16	16	S	Revalor-S	No	Yes	14	152–174	2.55	2.78
Garmyn et al.	2011	16	16	S	Revalor-S	No	Yes	21	152–174	2.50	2.63
Garmyn et al.	2011	16	16	S	Revalor-S	No	Yes	28	152–174	1.87	2.12
Garmyn et al.	2011	16	16	S	Revalor-S	No	Yes	35	152–174	2.60	2.87
Garmyn et al.	2011	16	16	S	Revalor XS	No	Yes	7	152–174	2.43	2.74
Garmyn et al.	2011	16	16	S	Revalor XS	No	Yes	14	152–174	2.55	2.95
Garmyn et al.	2011	16	16	S	Revalor XS	No	Yes	21	152–174	2.50	2.90
Garmyn et al.	2011	16	16	S	Revalor XS	No	Yes	28	152–174	1.87	2.30
Garmyn et al.	2011	16	16	S	Revalor XS	No	Yes	35	152–174	2.60	2.62
Garmyn et al.	2011	16	16	S	Revalor-S	No	Yes	7	152–174	3.58	4.19
Garmyn et al.	2011	16	16	S	Revalor-S	No	Yes	14	152–174	3.59	4.14
Garmyn et al.	2011	16	16	S	Revalor-S	No	Yes	21	152–174	3.29	3.86
Garmyn et al.	2011	16	16	S	Revalor-S	No	Yes	28	152–174	2.58	3.42
Garmyn et al.	2011	16	16	S	Revalor-S	No	Yes	35	152–174	2.89	3.21
Garmyn et al.	2011	16	16	S	Revalor XS	No	Yes	7	152–174	3.58	3.80
Garmyn et al.	2011	16	16	S	Revalor XS	No	Yes	14	152–174	3.59	4.06
Garmyn et al.	2011	16	16	S	Revalor XS	No	Yes	21	152–174	3.29	3.68
Garmyn et al.	2011	16	16	S	Revalor XS	No	Yes	28	152–174	2.58	2.85
Garmyn et al.	2011	16	16	S	Revalor XS	No	Yes	35	152–174	2.89	2.88
Gerken et al.	1995	6	6	S	Synovex-S	No	No	14	112	3.98	4.56
Gerken et al.	1995	6	6	S	Finaplix-S	No	Yes	14	112	3.98	3.93
Gerken et al.	1995	6	6	S	Revalor-S	No	Yes	14	112	3.98	4.65
Hopkins and Dikeman	1987	3	3	B	Compudose	Yes	No	10	205	5.20	4.40
Hunt et al.	1991	5	5	S	Finnaplix-120	Yes	Yes	7	160	3.40	3.30
Hunt et al.	1991	5	5	B	Finnaplix-120	Yes	Yes	7	160	4.40	3.50
Hunt et al.	1991	5	5	S	Finnaplix-120	Yes	Yes	7	160	3.40	3.20
Hunt et al.	1991	5	5	B	Finnaplix-120	Yes	Yes	7	160	4.40	3.60
Hunter et al.	2000	17	16	S	Compudose 400	No	No	Unknown	420	5.10	5.50
Hunter et al.	2000	17	16	S	Compudose 100	Yes	No	Unknown	420	5.10	5.60
Hunter et al.	2001	20	17	S	Compudose 100	No	No	1	100	4.30	4.80
Hunter et al.	2001	16	16	S	Compudose 100	No	No	1	150	4.70	5.40
Hunter et al.	2001	18	17	S	Compudose 100	No	No	1	70	4.40	4.50
Hunter et al.	2001	17	12	S	Compudose 100	No	No	1	Unknown	6.00	6.30
Igo et al.	2011	4	7	S	Revalor XS	No	Yes	14	145–174	3.20	3.00
Igo et al.	2011	4	7	S	Revalor IS	Yes	Yes	14	145–174	3.20	3.20
Igo et al.	2011	4	7	S	Revalor XS	No	Yes	21	145–174	2.90	2.90
Igo et al.	2011	4	7	S	Revalor IS	Yes	Yes	21	145–174	2.90	2.90
Igo et al.	2011	4	7	S	Revalor XS	No	Yes	14	145–174	3.00	2.90
Igo et al.	2011	4	7	S	Revalor IS	Yes	Yes	14	145–174	3.00	3.30
Igo et al.	2011	4	7	S	Revalor XS	No	Yes	21	145–174	2.70	2.60
Igo et al.	2011	4	7	S	Revalor IS	Yes	Yes	21	145–174	2.70	2.80
Kerth et al.	2003	8	8	H	Revalor-H	No	Yes	16	Unknown	3.49	3.54
Kerth et al.	2003	8	8	H	Revalor-H	No	Yes	16	Unknown	3.49	2.93
Kerth et al.	2003	8	8	H	Revalor-H	Yes	Yes	16	Unknown	3.49	3.18
Kerth et al.	2003	8	8	H	Revalor-IH	Yes	Yes	16	Unknown	3.49	3.34
Kerth et al.	2003	8	8	H	Synovex-H	Yes	Yes	16	Unknown	3.49	3.39
Nute and Dransfield	1984	12	12	S	Ralgro	No	No	6	Unknown
Ouali et al.	1988	10	10	S	Revalor-S	No	Yes	7	130
Packer et al.	In press	100	100	S	Compudose 100	No	No	7	73	4.40	4.60
Packer et al.	In press	100	100	S	Compudose 100	No	No	35	73	3.40	3.50
Packer et al.	In press	100	100	S	Component TE-200	No	Yes	7	73	4.40	4.70
Packer et al.	In press	100	100	S	Component TE-200	No	Yes	35	73	3.40	3.50
Phelps et al.	2014	16	16	S	Component E-S	Yes	No	21	175	3.20	3.42
Phelps et al.	2014	16	16	S	Component E-S	Yes	No	21	175	3.00	3.55
Platter et al.	2003	50	50	S	Synovex-S	Yes	Yes	17.5	Various	3.54	3.95
Platter et al.	2003	50	50	S	Ralgro	Yes	Yes	17.5	Various	3.54	4.46
Platter et al.	2003	50	50	S	Synovex-S	Yes	Yes	17.5	Various	3.54	4.19
Platter et al.	2003	50	50	S	Synovex-C	Yes	Yes	17.5	Various	3.54	4.19
Platter et al.	2003	50	50	S	Ralgro	Yes	Yes	17.5	Various	3.54	4.15
Platter et al.	2003	50	50	S	Synovex-C	Yes	Yes	17.5	Various	3.54	4.12
Platter et al.	2003	50	50	S	Synovex-C	Yes	Yes	17.5	Various	3.54	4.05
Platter et al.	2003	50	50	S	Synovex-C	Yes	Yes	17.5	Various	3.54	4.05
Platter et al.	2003	50	50	S	Synovex-C	Yes	Yes	17.5	Various	3.54	4.14
Platter et al.	2003	50	50	S	Synovex-C	Yes	Yes	17.5	Various	3.54	4.38
Reiling and Johnson	2003	40	41	S	Ralgro	Yes	Yes	14	105	3.06	3.28
Reiling and Johnson	2003	40	42	S	Revalor-S	Yes	Yes	14	105	3.06	3.58
Reiling and Johnson	2003	41	41	S	Component TE-S	Yes	No	5	105	3.76	4.09
Reiling and Johnson	2003	41	41	S	Component TE-S	Yes	No	14	105	3.54	3.72
Robinson et al.	2012	187	176	S/H	Revalor-H	No	Yes	7	390–660
Robinson et al.	2012	187	176	S/H	Revalor-H	No	Yes	7	390–661
Roeber et al.	2000	36	39	S	Encore	Yes	Yes	14	140 or 141	2.97	3.18
Roeber et al.	2000	36	38	S	Ralgro	Yes	Yes	14	140 or 141	2.97	3.41
Roeber et al.	2000	36	38	S	Ralgro	Yes	Yes	14	140 or 141	2.97	3.31
Roeber et al.	2000	36	36	S	Revalor-S	Yes	Yes	14	140 or 141	2.97	3.28
Roeber et al.	2000	36	36	S	Revalor-S	No	Yes	14	140 or 141	2.97	3.51
Roeber et al.	2000	36	37	S		No	Yes	14	140 or 141	2.97	3.42
Roeber et al.	2000	36	37	S	Synovex Plus	No	Yes	14	140 or 141	2.97	3.29
Rumsey et al.	1990	10	10	S	Synovex-S	Yes	No	2	160	3.69	3.87
Rumsey et al.	1990	19	19	S/H	Synovex-S	Yes	No	2	160	4.70	6.05
Samber et al.	1996	8	8	S	Ralgro	Yes	Yes	14	212	2.58	2.74
Samber et al.	1996	8	8	S	Ralgro	Yes	Yes	14	212	2.58	2.75
Samber et al.	1996	8	8	S	Synovex-S	Yes	Yes	14	212	2.58	2.64
Samber et al.	1996	8	8	S	Revalor-S	Yes	Yes	14	212	2.58	3.01
Samber et al.	1996	8	8	S	Revalor-S	Yes	Yes	14	212	2.58	2.92
Scheffler et al.	2003	4	4	S	Component TE-S	Yes	Yes	14	269	2.50	2.60
Scheffler et al.	2003	4	4	S	Component TE-S	Yes	Yes	14	269	2.50	2.80
Scheffler et al.	2003	4	4	S	Component TE-S	Yes	Yes	14	269	2.50	3.00
Schneider et al.	2007	42	41	H	TBA	No	Yes	3	140	4.67	4.51
Schneider et al.	2007	42	41	H	TBA	No	Yes	7	140	4.22	4.22
Schneider et al.	2007	42	41	H	TBA	No	Yes	14	140	3.80	3.59
Schneider et al.	2007	42	41	H	TBA	No	Yes	21	140	3.33	3.36
Schneider et al.	2007	42	41	H	TBA	No	Yes	28	140	3.27	3.24
Schneider et al.	2007	42	42	H	TBA + E2	No	Yes	3	140	4.67	4.57
Schneider et al.	2007	42	42	H	TBA + E2	No	Yes	7	140	4.22	4.06
Schneider et al.	2007	42	42	H	TBA + E2	No	Yes	14	140	3.80	3.56
Schneider et al.	2007	42	42	H	TBA + E2	No	Yes	21	140	3.33	3.26
Schneider et al.	2007	42	42	H	TBA + E2	No	Yes	28	140	3.27	3.13
Schneider et al.	2007	42	41	H	TBA + E2	No	Yes	3	140	4.67	4.67
Schneider et al.	2007	42	41	H	TBA + E2	No	Yes	7	140	4.22	4.33
Schneider et al.	2007	42	41	H	TBA + E2	No	Yes	14	140	3.80	3.84
Schneider et al.	2007	42	41	H	TBA + E2	No	Yes	21	140	3.33	3.45
Schneider et al.	2007	42	41	H	TBA + E2	No	Yes	28	140	3.27	3.23
Schneider et al.	2007	42	41	H	TBA + E2	No	Yes	3	140	4.67	4.74
Schneider et al.	2007	42	41	H	TBA + E2	No	Yes	7	140	4.22	4.37
Schneider et al.	2007	42	41	H	TBA + E2	No	Yes	14	140	3.80	3.71
Schneider et al.	2007	42	41	H	TBA + E2	No	Yes	21	140	3.33	3.44
Schneider et al.	2007	42	41	H	TBA + E2	No	Yes	28	140	3.27	3.19
Schneider et al.	2007	42	41	H	TBA	Yes	Yes	3	140	4.67	4.65
Schneider et al.	2007	42	41	H	TBA	Yes	Yes	7	140	4.22	4.30
Schneider et al.	2007	42	41	H	TBA	Yes	Yes	14	140	3.80	3.73
Schneider et al.	2007	42	41	H	TBA	Yes	Yes	21	140	3.33	3.43
Schneider et al.	2007	42	41	H	TBA	Yes	Yes	28	140	3.27	3.39
Schneider et al.	2007	42	42	H	TBA + E2	Yes	Yes	3	140	4.67	5.03
Schneider et al.	2007	42	42	H	TBA + E2	Yes	Yes	7	140	4.22	4.47
Schneider et al.	2007	42	42	H	TBA + E2	Yes	Yes	14	140	3.80	3.87
Schneider et al.	2007	42	42	H	TBA + E2	Yes	Yes	21	140	3.33	3.51
Schneider et al.	2007	42	42	H	TBA + E2	Yes	Yes	28	140	3.27	3.26
Schneider et al.	2007	42	41	H	TBA + E2	Yes	Yes	3	140	4.67	5.06
Schneider et al.	2007	42	41	H	TBA + E2	Yes	Yes	7	140	4.22	4.66
Schneider et al.	2007	42	41	H	TBA + E2	Yes	Yes	14	140	3.80	4.05
Schneider et al.	2007	42	41	H	TBA + E2	Yes	Yes	21	140	3.33	3.67
Schneider et al.	2007	42	41	H	TBA + E2	Yes	Yes	28	140	3.27	3.39
Schneider et al.	2007	42	40	H	TBA + E2	Yes	Yes	3	140	4.67	5.41
Schneider et al.	2007	42	40	H	TBA + E2	Yes	Yes	7	140	4.22	4.87
Schneider et al.	2007	42	40	H	TBA + E2	Yes	Yes	14	140	3.80	4.20
Schneider et al.	2007	42	40	H	TBA + E2	Yes	Yes	21	140	3.33	3.74
Schneider et al.	2007	42	40	H	TBA + E2	Yes	Yes	28	140	3.27	3.50
Schneider et al.	2007	42	42	H	TBA + E2	Yes	Yes	3	140	4.67	5.31
Schneider et al.	2007	42	42	H	TBA + E2	Yes	Yes	7	140	4.22	4.73
Schneider et al.	2007	42	42	H	TBA + E2	Yes	Yes	14	140	3.80	4.11
Schneider et al.	2007	42	42	H	TBA + E2	Yes	Yes	21	140	3.33	3.62
Schneider et al.	2007	42	42	H	TBA + E2	Yes	Yes	28	140	3.27	3.42
Schneider et al.	2007	42	44	H	TBA + E2	Yes	Yes	3	140	4.67	5.46
Schneider et al.	2007	42	44	H	TBA + E2	Yes	Yes	7	140	4.22	5.00
Schneider et al.	2007	42	44	H	TBA + E2	Yes	Yes	14	140	3.80	4.21
Schneider et al.	2007	42	44	H	TBA + E2	Yes	Yes	21	140	3.33	3.77
Schneider et al.	2007	42	44	H	TBA + E2	Yes	Yes	28	140	3.27	3.36
Schneider et al.	2007	42	43	H	TBA + E2	Yes	Yes	3	140	4.67	5.56
Schneider et al.	2007	42	43	H	TBA + E2	Yes	Yes	7	140	4.22	5.09
Schneider et al.	2007	42	43	H	TBA + E2	Yes	Yes	14	140	3.80	4.36
Schneider et al.	2007	42	43	H	TBA + E2	Yes	Yes	21	140	3.33	3.76
Schneider et al.	2007	42	43	H	TBA + E2	Yes	Yes	28	140	3.27	3.66
Shackelford et al.	1992	48	48	B	Ralgro	No	No	10	190, 246, 315	4.30	5.10
Shackelford et al.	1992	48	48	B	Synovex-S	No	No	10	190, 246, 315	4.30	5.10
Thompson et al.	2008	20	20	S	Revalor-S	No	Yes	5	55 or 65	3.60	4.00
Thompson et al.	2008	20	20	H	Revalor-H	No	Yes	5	55 or 65	4.30	5.20
Thompson et al.	2008	20	20	S	Revalor-S	No	Yes	21	55 or 65	3.00	3.30
Thompson et al.	2008	20	20	H	Revalor-H	No	Yes	21	55 or 65	3.20	3.60
Thompson et al.	2008	240	235	S	Compudose 100	No	No	1	55 or 65	5.80	5.80

^aSex categories; S, steers; H, heifers; B, bulls.

^bTBA, trenbolone acetate implants.

^cWBSF, Warner-Bratzler shear force.