Presence and metabolism of the anabolic steroid boldenone in various animal species: a review

• Published in: Food additives and contaminants Vol. 21; no. 6; pp. 515 - 525
• Main Authors: Brabander, H.F. de, Poelmans, S, Schilt, R, Stephany, R.W, Le Bizec, B, Draisci, R, Sterk, S.S, Ginkel, L.A. van, Courtheyn, D, Hoof, N. van
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London Taylor & Francis Group 01.06.2004; Taylor & Francis
• Subjects: Anabolic Agents - analysis; Anabolic Agents - pharmacokinetics; anabolic steroids; Animals; beef cattle; Biological and medical sciences; boldenone; bovine; calves; detection; dietary nutrient sources; drug abuse; drug residues; endogenous; feces; Female; Food industries; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; growth promotion; horses; Humans; illegal treatment; Male; metabolism; metabolites; pharmacokinetics; phytosterol; phytosterols; steroid metabolism; Substance Abuse Detection - methods; Substance Abuse Detection - veterinary; swine; synthetic products; Testosterone - analogs & derivatives; Testosterone - analysis; Testosterone - pharmacokinetics; urine; France; Italy; Netherlands; endogenous; Farming animal; Bovine; boldenone; Calf; Ox; Review; Metabolism; calves; phytosterol; Vertebrata; Meat animals; Mammalia; anabolic steroids; Artiodactyla; Species; Ungulata; illegal treatment
• ISSN: 0265-203X; 1464-5122
• DOI: 10.1080/02652030410001687717

The review summarizes current knowledge on the possible illegal use of the anabolic steroid boldenone. The presence of boldenone and metabolites in different animal species and the possibility of the occurrence of endogenous boldenone and metabolites is assessed, as are the methods of analysis used for detection. Different laboratories in the European Union have examined the occurrence of boldenone and its metabolites. The results were discussed at different meetings of a European Commission DG-SANCO Working Party and summarized in an expert report. The situation of the different laboratories at this time is also covered herein. The overall conclusion of the Working Party was that there was a necessity for further research to distinguish between naturally occurring and illegally used boldenone forms. The confirmation of the presence of boldenone metabolites (free and conjugated forms) in certain matrices of animals is proposed as a marker for the illegal treatment with boldenone.