Neoformation of boldenone and related steroids in faeces of veal calves

• Published in: Food additives and contaminants Vol. 23; no. 2; pp. 126 - 132
• Main Authors: Pompa, G, Arioli, F, Fracchiolla, M.L, Sgoifo Rossi, C.A, Bassini, A.L, Stella, S, Biondi, P.A
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London Taylor & Francis Group 01.02.2006; Taylor & Francis
• Subjects: Anabolic Agents - analysis; Anabolic Agents - urine; anabolic steroids; Androgens - analysis; Androgens - urine; Androstadienes - analysis; Androstadienes - urine; Androstenedione - analysis; Androstenedione - urine; animal husbandry; Animal productions; Animals; Biological and medical sciences; Boldenone; calves; Cattle; Common Agricultural Policy; detection; drug residues; Epitestosterone - analysis; Epitestosterone - urine; faeces; feces; Feces - chemistry; Food industries; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry - methods; growth promotion; illegal drug; Rectum; Terrestrial animal productions; Testosterone - analogs & derivatives; Testosterone - analysis; Testosterone - urine; urine; veal; veal calves; Vertebrates; veterinary law; veterinary medicine; Europe; Urine; Biological fluid; Farming animal; Calf; Ox; veal calves; Vertebrata; Veal; Meat animals; Mammalia; faeces; Boldenone; Artiodactyla; Feces; Ungulata
• ISSN: 0265-203X; 1464-5122
• DOI: 10.1080/02652030500442508

Conflicting findings regarding the boldenone content of bovine faeces suggest it may be synthesized de novo in emitted faeces. We tested this hypothesis by analysing uncontaminated urine, fresh and various forms of dried faeces from 10 calves (not given boldenone) by liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry for 17alpha- and 17beta-boldenone (alpha and beta BOL); 1,4-androstadiene-3,17-dione (ADD); 4-androstene-3,17-dione (AED), testosterone (T) and epitestosterone (ET). Urine contained no alpha BOL, beta BOL or ADD. The analysed substances were variably present in the rectal faeces, and at generally higher levels in faeces scraped from skin or stall floor. In pooled rectal faeces naturally dried for 13 days, alpha BOL, ADD, AED and ET levels were extremely high (much higher than accounted for by increases due to drying), and beta BOL and T were absent. It is concluded that de novo synthesis of alpha BOL and metabolites occurs naturally in bovine faeces and only uncontaminated urine should be analysed for illegal boldenone.