Analyze Diet
Schweizer Archiv fur Tierheilkunde2017; 159(4); 231-235; doi: 10.17236/sat00112

[Doping relevant substances in horse feed].

Abstract: Horse feed material of Swiss and foreign production available on the Swiss market was tested with regard to possible contamination with 7 different alkaloids, atropine and colchicine. Twenty-eight feed samples as well as 2 poppy seed samples were analyzed. Out of 28 feed samples 18 were positive for prohibited substances in Equestrian sports. The concentration of prohibited substances was in none of the samples high enough to cause an effect on the body of the horse. The poppy seed sample, which was obtained by conventional harvesting and cleaning methods, contained a very high Morphine concentration compared to the sample which was harvested by hand. Despite high quality standards a contamination with prohibited substances in horse feed cannot be excluded. Auf dem Schweizer Markt erhältliche Einzel- und Grundfuttermittel für Pferde aus dem In- und Ausland wurden auf eine mögliche Kontamination mit 7 verschiedenen Alkaloiden, sowie Atropin und Colchicin untersucht. Analysiert wurden 28 Futterproben sowie 2 Mohnsamenproben aus Schweizer Anbau. Von 28 untersuchten Futterproben enthielten 18 Proben Substanzen mit potentieller Dopingrelevanz im Pferdesport. Die Konzentration der untersuchten Substanzen war in keiner Probe so hoch, dass mit einer Auswirkung auf den Körper beim Pferd zu rechnen ist. Bei den analysierten Mohnsamenproben enthielt diejenige, die nach dem üblichen Ernte- und Reinigungsverfahren entnommen wurde, gegenüber der manuell geernteten Probe einen ungewöhnlich hohen Morphinwert. Die vorliegende Analyse von 28 Futtermittelproben zeigt, dass eine Kontamination mit dopingrelevanten Substanzen auch bei hohen Qualitätsstandards nicht ausgeschlossen werden kann. Divers aliments pour chevaux de provenance indigène et étrangère disponibles sur le marché suisse ont été examinés quant à une éventuelle contamination par 7 alcaloïdes différents ainsi que par l’atropine et la colchicine. On a analysé 28 échantillons de fourrages ainsi que 2 échantillons de graines de pavot provenant de cultures suisses. Dix-huit des vingt-huit échantillons contenaient des substances pouvant avoir une importance en matière de dopage dans les sports équestres. La concentration des substances recherchées n’était, dans aucun des échantillons de fourrages, assez élevée pour qu’on puisse tabler avec un effet sur le corps du cheval. L’échantillon de graines de pavot produites avec les techniques usuelles de récolte et de nettoyage présentait, par rapport à celui composé de graines récoltées à la main, un taux de morphine inhabituellement élevé. La présente étude de 28 échantillons d’aliments démontre qu’une contamination avec des substances ayant une importance en matière de dopage ne peut pas être exclue, même avec des standards de qualité élevés. Sono stati esaminati gli alimenti per cavalli, di base e singoli a disposizione sul mercato svizzero provenienti da Svizzera e dall’estero, sulla possibile contaminazione con 7 diversi alcaloidi nonché atropina e colchicina. Sono stati analizzati 28 campioni di mangimi e 2 di semi di papavero provenienti dall’agricoltura Svizzera. Dai 28 campioni di alimenti esaminati, 18 contenevano sostanze con una potenziale rilevanza di doping nello sport equestre. La concentrazione delle sostanze testate in nessuno dei campioni era così alta da influire sul corpo del cavallo. Nei campioni analizzati di semi di papavero, quelli presi dopo il consueto processo di raccolta e purificazione rispetto al campione raccolto manualmente, contenevano un valore insolitamente elevato di morfina. La presente analisi di 28 campioni di mangimi dimostra che la contaminazione con sostanze rilevanti per il doping, anche con elevati standard di qualità, non può essere esclusa.
Publication Date: 2017-04-07 PubMed ID: 28382919DOI: 10.17236/sat00112Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article

Summary

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The research studied horse feed available in the Swiss market, both locally produced and imported, to determine potential contamination with seven different alkaloids, atropine, and colchicine. The study found that out of 28 feed samples, 18 contained substances prohibited in equestrian sports, though in concentrations too low to affect the horse’s body.

Study Purpose and Sample

  • The primary goal of this research was to investigate possible contamination in horse feed products available on the Swiss market. In particular, they were looking for seven different alkaloids, atropine, and colchicine.
  • The researchers analyzed 28 different feed samples, along with two poppy seed samples. All of these products were either sourced from within Switzerland or imported.

Findings

  • A significant number of the feed samples, 18 out of 28, contained substances that are prohibited within the realm of equestrian sports.
  • However, it’s crucial to point out that while these substances were detected in the feed, the concentrations were small and deemed insufficient to create any impact on a horse’s physiology.
  • Great variance was found in the levels of morphine in the examined poppy seed samples. The sample collected using conventional harvesting and cleaning procedures showed a significantly higher morphine concentration compared to the one that was harvested manually.

Implications

  • The findings underscore a potential risk of contamination in horse feed products, regardless of whether they meet high quality standards. This suggests stricter quality controls and monitoring mechanisms in place for horse feed manufacturing and handling processes.
  • Additionally, the variation in morphine levels in poppy samples based on harvesting methods implies that cultivation and processing techniques significantly influence the presence of undesirable substances in feeds.

Cite This Article

APA
Herholz C, Zink N, Laska H, Gumpendobler M, Trolliet C, Probst S. (2017). [Doping relevant substances in horse feed]. Schweiz Arch Tierheilkd, 159(4), 231-235. https://doi.org/10.17236/sat00112

Publication

ISSN: 0036-7281
NlmUniqueID: 0424247
Country: Switzerland
Language: ger
Volume: 159
Issue: 4
Pages: 231-235

Researcher Affiliations

Herholz, C
  • Hochschule für Agrar-, Forst- und Lebensmittelwissenschaften, Zollikofen.
Zink, N
  • Hochschule für Agrar-, Forst- und Lebensmittelwissenschaften, Zollikofen.
Laska, H
  • Interlabor Belp AG, Belp.
Gumpendobler, M
  • Interlabor Belp AG, Belp.
Trolliet, C
  • Schweizerischer Verband für Pferdesport, Bern.
Probst, S
  • Schweizerischer Verband für Pferdesport, Bern.

MeSH Terms

  • Alkaloids / analysis
  • Animal Feed / analysis
  • Animal Feed / standards
  • Animals
  • Atropine / analysis
  • Colchicine / analysis
  • Doping in Sports
  • Food Contamination / analysis
  • Horses / physiology
  • Morphine / analysis

Citations

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