[Natural and synthetic glucocorticoids in the racing horse: a review of the literature].

The research article is a comprehensive review of the literature regarding the effects and detection of both natural and synthetic glucocorticoids in racing horses, with an emphasis on their implications for doping control.

Understanding Endogenous and Synthetic Glucocorticoids

The first section of the article focuses on endogenous cortisol, which is a glucocorticoid hormone naturally produced by the horse’s body. This hormone plays a crucial role in various physiological functions, including the regulation of metabolic processes, immune response and stress reaction. The review provides insight into:

• The production and function of endogenous cortisol in the horse’s body, including its physiological variations under different conditions.
• The impact of synthetic glucocorticoids on endogenous cortisol concentrations. Synthetic glucocorticoids, such as dexamethasone or prednisone, can be administered to horses for treating inflammation, allergies and other health issues. However, these artificial hormones might affect the natural cortisol levels in the horse’s bloodstream.

The Detection of Glucocorticoids

The second half of the review is dedicated to the detection of therapeutically used glucocorticoids in horses, which is critical for doping control in horse racing. Glucocorticoids, due to their powerful anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive properties, are frequently misused for performance enhancement, posing risks to the health and welfare of the athletes. Consequently, their detection becomes imperative to ensure fair competition and wellbeing of the animals. This section elaborates on:

• The detection times of various glucocorticoids, including dexamethasone, betamethasone, triamcinolone, prednisone, prednisolone, methylprednisolone and hydrocortisone. Detection time refers to the period during which a drug or its metabolites can be identified in the horse’s body following administration.
• The implications of these detection times for doping control. An understanding of detection times is crucial to develop effective drug testing protocols and determine appropriate withdrawal times before competitions.

Implications for Doping Control

By integrating the information on the physiological effects of endogenous and synthetic glucocorticoids and their detection times, the review informs more efficient and fair doping control measures. It aids in:

• Setting appropriate threshold limits for these substances, distinguishing between therapeutic use and abuse.
• Designing suitable sampling and testing techniques for detecting illegal use of these hormones.
• Assessing the potential health risks associated with their misuse, which could guide the formulation of regulations and welfare policies in the horse racing industry.