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

Abstract

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.

Neoformation of boldenone and related steroids in faeces of veal calves

“…The authors attributed the high concentrations of 17-boldenone ( BOL), 1,4-androstadiene-3,17-dione (ADD) and, in some samples, of 17-boldenone ( BOL) present in slaughterhouse faeces, to oral administration of BOL esters or precursors. More recently, Nielen et al (2004) found BOL (520.0 ng/g) and BOL (21.0 ng/g) in dried faeces from calves reported to be untreated; Sangiorgi et al (2005) detected these substances in rectal faeces from untreated calves, while De Brabander et al (2004) reported low concentrations of BOL and (1->10 ng/g) and BOL (0.1-2.0 ng/g) in faeces scraped off the skin of calves. It therefore seems that and BOL can be present in a wide range of concentrations in faecal materials sampled outside the animals.…”

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

“…Conversely, like the other androgenic steroids, 17β-BOL is classified by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) in class 2A (growth promoters -steroids), as a probable human carcinogen (e.g. prostate and liver tumors), with a carcinogenicity index higher than that of other androgens, such as nandrolone, stanozolol and testosterone [7]. A recent study has demonstrated the role of 17α-BOL in the d e v e l o p m e n t o f h u m a n p r o s t a t e c a r c i n o m a s xenotransplanted into nude mice [3].…”

“…To prevent the abuse of anabolics in animal production, biological samples, including urine, blood and hair, are periodically taken from selected farms. Existing literature relates the presence in the urine samples of BOL and ADD derivatives, like 17α-BOL and 17β-BOL conjugates, to proof of illegal treatment [7], while the presence of 17α-BOL free in urine and faeces of animal species can come from resources other than illegal treatment [18], like phytosterols in food [19]. Since no clear correlation has yet been found between different observations, studies are being carried out in order to better understand the significance of these metabolites in urine and faeces of cattle [7].…”

“…BOL causes increases of muscle size due to promotion of positive nitrogen balance by stimulating protein production and reducing protein destruction, moreover it produces a retention of body water, nitrogen, sodium, potassium and calcium ions [11,16]. BOL improves growth and feed conversion in veal calves and therefore might be used illegally to achieve more efficient meat production [1,2,7,25]. ADD is used by bodybuilders as a product with an even greater anabolic potency than BOL itself [7,9].…”

“…BOL improves growth and feed conversion in veal calves and therefore might be used illegally to achieve more efficient meat production [1,2,7,25]. ADD is used by bodybuilders as a product with an even greater anabolic potency than BOL itself [7,9]. Conversely, like the other androgenic steroids, 17β-BOL is classified by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) in class 2A (growth promoters -steroids), as a probable human carcinogen (e.g.…”