Endogenic nortestosterone in cattle?
Abstract: When residues of nortestosterone (NT) were found in the urine of cattle, racehorses or bodybuilders, exogenic administration was thought to be proven. In previous literature, no records were found of the endogenic presence of this molecule. In the horse-racing world, Houghton and Courthot found that NT is normally present in the urine of the stallion. Belgian and Dutch researchers found that NT is also present in the urine and edible parts of the intact boar. Vandenbroeck et al. (1991) suggested the endogenous presence of NT (in the beta form) in the pregnant cow. Meyer (1992) reported the presence of NT (in the alpha form) in relatively high amounts in the urine of the cow peri-partum and the neo-natal calf. These observations may have important consequences for veterinary meat inspection in the EU. Therefore, in Belgium a large scale experiment was set up in co-operation with the EU Community Reference Laboratory (RIVM). In this paper the present state of the results in this area is presented. A large number of urine samples (> 50) of pregnant non-treated cows were collected and analysed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) in 4 different laboratories. Further samples (> 100) were taken, but only analysed in one laboratory. The results proved clearly that NT may indeed be detectable in the alpha form in the urine of pregnant cows, from at least 2 months, but most probably from 4-5 months before partus.
Publication Date: 1994-12-01 PubMed ID: 7879858DOI: 10.1039/an9941902581Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
Summary
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This research focuses on the natural presence of a hormone, nortestosterone (NT), in cattle. NT was previously believed to be only artificially introduced but recent findings suggest it is present naturally in pregnant cows. Further examination of urine samples with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry backed up these suggestions.
Background
- In the past, when nortestosterone (NT) residues were identified in urine samples from cattle, racehorses and human bodybuilders, it was generally assumed to be a result of external administration. This is primarily because there was no documented evidence of the natural, or endogenic, occurrence of NT.
- However, recent studies demonstrate the natural presence of NT in various species. It was found in the urine of stallions and boars, and was suggested to exist in pregnant cows by Vandenbroeck et al. in 1991.
- Such findings could significantly impact meat inspections within the European Union as the detection of NT has been used as an indicator of hormone misuse in animal rearing.
Study and Methodology
- To investigate further, a large scale study was initiated in Belgium, involving the EU Community Reference Laboratory. The overall goal was to ascertain whether NT was indeed endogenously present in cattle.
- The study involved urine samples from over 50 non-treated pregnant cows. These were analysed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) in four separate laboratories.
- An additional 100 samples were taken and analysed in just one of the laboratories.
Findings
- The research conclusively showed the presence of NT in the urine of pregnant cows. Specifically, the NT was detectable in most samples approximately four to five months before giving birth. This proves that NT can be naturally produced by pregnant cows, rather than being solely a result of external hormone administration.
- This is a significant development in understanding the presence of NT in livestock. It challenges former assumptions about NT as a clear-cut indicator of the illegal use of growth hormones in livestock rearing.
Cite This Article
APA
de Brabander HF, van Hende J, Batjoens P, Hendriks L, Raus J, Smets F, Pottie G, van Ginkel L, Stephany RW.
(1994).
Endogenic nortestosterone in cattle?
Analyst, 119(12), 2581-2585.
https://doi.org/10.1039/an9941902581 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Veterinary Food Inspection, lab Chemical Analysis, RUG, Merelbeke, Belgium.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Animals, Newborn
- Cattle / urine
- Drug Residues / analysis
- Female
- Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry / methods
- Horses / urine
- Humans
- Laboratories
- Male
- Nandrolone / urine
- Pregnancy
- Pregnancy, Animal / urine
- Reproducibility of Results
- Sports
- Swine
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