Evaluation of steroid hormones anabolic use in cattle in Croatia

J Pleadin,S Terzic,N Persi,A Vulic

doi:10.2298/bah1102147p

J Pleadin, S Terzic + Show 2 more

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https://doi.org/10.2298/bah1102147p

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Abstract

Natural sex hormones are part of the endocrine system and are found in animal biological material. On analysis of residual substances with anabolic effect and detection of their abuse, it is necessary to know the physiological levels of these hormones to be able to differentiate physiological concentrations from the illegal use of anabolics. The hormone concentrations exceeding the physiological ones, found on monitoring for illegal substance use, would point to the abuse of these substances for anabolic purpose. In the present study, concentrations of the natural hormones 17?-estradiol, progesterone and testosterone were determined in bovine plasma according to animal age and sex. Natural hormone concentrations were determined using quantitative validated ELISA methods in plasma samples from cattle of different breed composition collected at several farms in Croatia during the 2006-2009 period. Methods validation showed good mean recovery and repeatability (approx. 75-87%), demonstrating the methods efficiency in determination of 17?-estradiol, progesterone and testosterone level in cattle plasma, respectively. The level of sex hormones was statistically significantly higher in yearling plasma as compared with calf plasma (P<0.05). The highest levels of 17?-estradiol (0.03?0.01 ng/mL) and progesterone (4.87?1.63 ng/mL) were recorded in female yearlings, and of testosterone (9.44?5.47 ng/mL) in male yearlings. Results showed the steroid hormone levels to vary with animal age and sex, indicated that illegal use of anabolic substances could not be suspected in none of the study animals.

Highlights

The sex hormones 17β-estradiol, progesterone and testosterone are steroid molecules involved in endocrine regulation of growth in humans and animals
The aim of the present study was to determine the levels of sex hormones (17β-estradiol, progesterone and testosterone) in cattle plasma of various sex and age using validated ELISA methods, to get an insight into the hormonal levels that might indicate to the illegal use of steroid hormones on farm animals in this region
Endogenous sex hormones are synthesized in the gonads, adrenal gland and placenta, and bind to protein plasma to be transported to target organs

Summary

Introduction

The sex hormones 17β-estradiol, progesterone and testosterone are steroid molecules involved in endocrine regulation of growth in humans and animals. Besides influencing the development of sex characteristics, testosterone influences protein synthesis, 17β-estradiol has a major role in protein deposition, and progesterone exerts antagonistic action to estrogen hormones (Griffin and Wilson, 1998; Meyer, 2001). These very properties provoke their illegal use in fattening animals for anabolic purpose. The physiological presence and variation of these hormones according to age, sex and many other factors make identification of abuse of these substance for anabolic purpose still problematic (Le Bizec et al, 2009) On determination of these hormone concentrations in biologic material, all data of animals and history data should be taken in consideration when assessing the hormone levels as physiological or associated with substance abuse

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