[Alimentary intake of opioid alkaloids by horses. Hazards due to poppy-containing feeds].

This research examines the detection of opioid alkaloids in horse urine and suggests that contamination of horse feed with poppy seeds may be the cause. It offers a detailed investigation into potential sources of opioid alkaloids in Germany, and proposes recommendations for managing this issue, including a proposed threshold for morphine levels in urine samples in competing horses.

Research Investigation and Methodology

• The researchers embarked upon this study after discovering opioid alkaloids in horse urine during an anti-doping check and an unrelated case of intoxication. The suspicion was that the horses had ingested poppy-contaminated feed, which prompted them to analyse both horse feed and identify possible sources of opioid alkaloids in Germany.
• They executed this by carrying out an extensive literature research to identify potential sources of opioid alkaloids in the country. They also performed botanical and chemical analysis on the feed that was suspected to be contaminated.

Findings and Conclusions

• The research findings pointed towards the strong possibility of the poppy-contaminated feed being responsible for the presence of opioid alkaloids in the horses’ urine. This conclusion was informed by both the literary research and the botanic and chemical analyses of the feed.
• This brings to light the risk that horses are exposed to when fed with poppy-contaminated feed—a risk that was previously underestimated. Ingesting such feed could result in these horses unknowingly testing positive during anti-doping tests and, worse still, pose a risk of intoxication.

Recommendations and Proposals

• In response to these findings, the researchers proposed recommendations to manage this risk. Preventive measures to avoid positive doping test results and intoxications would need to be closely considered by those responsible for feeding horses—especially racing horses.
• Adjusting the threshold for morphine in urine samples of competing horses was presented as a proposed solution. This would serve to differentiate between horses that have been doped intentionally with opioid substances and those that test positive due to consuming poppy-contaminated feed.