Pathology of the Testicle and Sex Accessory Glands Following the Administration of Boldenone and Boldione as Growth Promoters in Veal Calves

Abstract

ABSTRACT. Boldenone and its precursor Boldione are illegally used for anabolic purposes in humans, horses and cattle. To develop more effective policies and programs to maximize food security, Italian Public Health Services investigate all indicators capable of assisting the recognition of treated animals, and prioritize research and the formulation of action strategies for the promotion of healthy eating. Thus, an experimental administration of boldenone and boldione at anabolic dosages in veal calves was carried out to evaluate the changes in target organs by qualitative and semi-quantitative morphological analysis. The lesions resembled the effects already observed after the administration of androgen hormones to cattle. Main findings were represented by prostate hypersecretion, increased rate of apoptotic cells and decreased rate of Ki67 positive cells in the germ cell line of treated animals, particularly in boldione group and finally some new features like hypertrophy of the prostate urothelial cells.

Adverse effects of the anabolic steroid, boldenone undecylenate, on reproductive functions of male rabbits

“…Similar results have been reported in horses (Maher et al. 1983), in female rats (Howe & Morello 1985) and in veal calves (Cannizzo et al. 2007).…”

“…There have been relatively few studies which have investigated the detrimental effects of BOL administration on male function. These have explored their role as growth promotors on testis; bulbourethral glands and prostates of veal calves (Groot & Biolatti 2004; Cannizzo et al. 2007), on reproductive function of stallions (Squires et al.…”

Changes in the hepatic and renal structure and function after a growth promoter boldenone injection in rabbits

“…Boldenone (1,4-androstadiene-17β-ol-3-one; BOL) is an androgenic steroid that improves the growth and food conversion in food producing animals. In most countries worldwide, this anabolic steroid is forbidden for meat production (Kuhn, 2002;Cannizzo et al, 2007;Soma et al, 2007). They were developed mainly for veterinary use, mostly for horse treatment and well known under the trade names Equipoise, Ganabol, Equigan and Ultragan.…”

A Histologic Study on Growth Promoter Target Organs of Slaughtered Beef in Molise Region (Italy)

“…However, illegal substances used in livestock cause the occurrence of alterations, to different extents, in organs that respond to their stimulating or inhibiting effects [1]. Indeed, over the years, studies on this topic have suggested that the use of growth promoters can be highlighted by both macroscopic and histological changes of the genital tract organs and sex accessory glands, in both males and females [6,23,24,32], or other organs such as the thymus [7,28] or thyroid [37]. These lesions persist long enough to be detected at slaughter.…”