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The beta-agonist clenbuterol in mane and tail hair of horses.
Abstract: The beta2-agonist clenbuterol is commonly administered for therapeutic purposes in the horse, but its use an an anabolic agent is illegal. Clenbuterol can be detected in blood and urine for a relatively short period after administration and detection in hair could enhance the analytical range and be used to determine the history of clenbuterol application. Objective: That detection in mane or tail hair is possible over an extended period. Methods: Four horses received 0.8 microg clenbuterol hydrochloride/kg bwt b.i.d. for 10 days. Four other horses were used as untreated controls. Blood, urine, mane and tail hair samples were taken on Day 0 (before) and 5, 10, 30, 35, 40, 60, 90, 120, 150 and 360 days after start of treatment. Gas chromotography/high resolution mass spectrometry (GC/HRMS) was developed for clenbuterol analysis: limit of detection was 0.2 pg/mg; intra-assay repeatability limit r = 0.06 (confidence level 95%); interassay repeatability limit r = 0.03 (confidence level 95%). Prior to treatment, clenbuterol was absent from all samples analysed. Results: Clenbuterol was detectable as early as Day 5 in tail and mane hair of Segment 1 (0-20 mm from the roots) and was maximal on Day 90. However, as time progressed, shift into lower 20 mm segments was observed. On Day 360, the maximum concentration (up to 21 pg/mg) was located in Segment 13, i.e. 26-28 cm from roots of hair. Clenbuterol was not detectable in blood or urine after Day 30. Mane and tail hair results were very similar. Conclusions: The study showed that the beta-agonist clenbuterol can be found in mane and tail hair of horses after extended periods. Conclusions: It will be possible to detect clenbuterol in breeding and show horses where anabolic drugs have been used illegally to improve conformation. This method may also be helpful to monitor therapeutic clenbuterol treatment.
Publication Date: 2004-03-25 PubMed ID: 15038433DOI: 10.2746/0425164044868620Google Scholar: Lookup The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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The research investigated the detection of the drug clenbuterol, a common yet illegal anabolic agent for horses, showing that it can be found in mane and tail hair over a long period, thus aiding in detecting unauthorized or inappropriate use of the drug in horses.
Objective and Methods
- The main aim of the study was to determine if the beta2-agonist clenbuterol, a drug used primarily for therapeutic purposes in horses, could be detected in their mane or tail hair over a prolonged period.
- The study involved eight horses equally divided into two groups: one that received clenbuterol dosage and the other that served as an untreated control group. Blood, urine, mane, and tail hair samples were collected from the horses on specific days for analysis.
- A technique known as Gas Chromatography/High Resolution Mass Spectrometry (GC/HRMS) was developed to analyze clenbuterol levels with a detection limit of 0.2pg/mg.
Findings
- Clenbuterol was detectable in mane and tail hair as early as 5 days from the start of the treatment. As time passed, the clenbuterol traces gradually shifted to the lower hair segments.
- The peak concentration of clenbuterol was observed on the 90th day, with maximum concentration detected 1 year (Day 360) post-treatment. After the 30th day, clenbuterol was undetectable in blood or urine, highlighting the benefit of hair-based investigation for prolonged detection.
- The results from mane and tail hair analysis were highly similar, suggesting either can be reliable sources for drug testing.
Conclusions
- The findings confirmed the study’s hypothesis that clenbuterol could be detected in mane and tail hair of horses over extended periods, extending well beyond detection windows in blood and urine samples.
- This suggested that the proposed method could be used in detecting the illicit use of anabolic drugs, specifically clenbuterol, in horses, enhancing adherence to animal treatment regulations and laws.
- The method also has relevance for monitoring therapeutic clenbuterol treatment and documenting administration history.
Cite This Article
APA
Schlupp A, Anielski P, Thieme D, Müller RK, Meyer H, Ellendorff F.
(2004).
The beta-agonist clenbuterol in mane and tail hair of horses.
Equine Vet J, 36(2), 118-122.
https://doi.org/10.2746/0425164044868620 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Institute for Animal Science Mariensee, Federal Agricultural Research Centre, 31535 Neustadt, Germany.
MeSH Terms
- Administration, Oral
- Adrenergic beta-Agonists / analysis
- Adrenergic beta-Agonists / pharmacokinetics
- Adrenergic beta-Agonists / therapeutic use
- Animals
- Clenbuterol / analysis
- Clenbuterol / pharmacokinetics
- Clenbuterol / therapeutic use
- Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
- Drug Residues / analysis
- Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry / methods
- Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry / veterinary
- Hair / chemistry
- Hair / metabolism
- Horses / metabolism
- Male
- Random Allocation
- Reproducibility of Results
- Sensitivity and Specificity
Citations
This article has been cited 6 times.- Medill SA, Janz DM, McLoughlin PD. Hair Cortisol Concentrations in Feral Horses and the Influence of Physiological and Social Factors. Animals (Basel) 2023 Jun 27;13(13).
- Kumari S, Pal B, Sahu SK, Prabhakar PK, Tewari D. Adverse events of clenbuterol among athletes: a systematic review of case reports and case series. Int J Legal Med 2023 Jul;137(4):1023-1037.
- Salari F, Mariti C, Altomonte I, Gazzano A, Martini M. Impact of Variability Factors on Hair Cortisol, Blood Count and Milk Production of Donkeys. Animals (Basel) 2022 Nov 2;12(21).
- Zak A, Siwinska N, Slowikowska M, Borowicz H, Szpot P, Zawadzki M, Niedzwiedz A. The detection of capsaicin and dihydrocapsaicin in horse serum following long-term local administration. BMC Vet Res 2018 Jun 19;14(1):193.
- Madry MM, Spycher BS, Kupper J, Fuerst A, Baumgartner MR, Kraemer T, Naegeli H. Long-term monitoring of opioid, sedative and anti-inflammatory drugs in horse hair using a selective and sensitive LC-MS/MS procedure. BMC Vet Res 2016 Jun 1;12:84.
- Jin P, Liao M, Liu H, Huang K, Fu L, Jin X. Activating protein kinases to treat diseases: Current understanding and future challenges. Acta Pharm Sin B 2026 Feb;16(2):746-769.
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