Anabolic steroids.

The research focuses on the prevalent use of anabolic steroids in horse practice over the last 25 years, explaining the various applications, detection methods, and potential dangers arising from high-dose usage.

Use and Dependence on Anabolic Steroids

• This study examines the widespread use of anabolic steroids in equine practice, which the authors note has been common for about a quarter of a century.
• Despite their prevalence, the actual usefulness of these substances is largely based on subjective experiences. This is due to the lack of extensive objective studies conducted specifically on horses.
• Due to this subjectivity, the decision to utilize anabolic steroids varies significantly amongst practitioners, depending largely on personal experiences and the pressures put on them by horse trainers to use them.

Applications of Anabolic Steroids

• The findings indicate that anabolic steroids are used in a broad range of circumstances as a part of ordered therapy.
• In addition to boosting muscle mass, these substances have also been employed to varying degrees in the upbringing of young horses and the training and racing of horses in an effort to improve their performance.
• However, the use of anabolic steroids for performance enhancement is largely restricted in most countries, deemed as illegal, with their detection in postrace urine samples constituting drug use.

Detection Method of Anabolic Steroids

• To detect anabolic steroid use, including testosterone, researchers have developed sensitive ELISA tests for screening and GC/MS for confirmation. These efficient methods help to ensure fair play in competitive horse racing and other equine activities.

Potential Risks of Anabolic Steroids

• While anabolic steroids can be used safely, potential risks exist especially when administered in too high doses. Such doses can lead to abnormal aggressiveness and other stallion-like behavior in horses, making them harder to handle.
• The study also notes that reproductive efficiency could be briefly affected in both male and female horses, but these effects typically reverse rapidly after the cessation of treatments.