Metabolic Profiles of the Mycotoxin Zearalenone and of the Growth Promoter Zeranol in Urine, Liver, and Muscle of Heifers

Abstract

A group of five heifers were fed for 84 days with 2 kg of zearalenone-contaminated oats (1370 microg/kg) resulting in an average daily intake of 2740 microg of zearalenone per animal. In a parallel experiment five heifers were implanted with two 25 mg zeranol pellets, one at the beginning of the study and one after 42 days, and fed with 2 kg of "blank" control oats (79 microg/kg, daily intake = 158 microg). A third group of five animals were also fed with 2 kg of "blank" oats and served as control. Urine samples of all animals were collected every 5-6 days during the whole period of the study. Animals of all three groups were killed 84 days after the beginning of the feeding study. Tissue samples (back, femoral region, liver, and residues of implanted pellets) were taken during post-mortem investigations. The content of zearalenone and zeranol and their metabolites in urine and tissue samples was established by an analytical method combining solid-phase extraction and high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Urinary excretion rates of zeralenone and zeranol were calculated from these results.

Hormone Use in Food Animal Production: Assessing Potential Dietary Exposures and Breast Cancer Risk

“…A smaller number of studies have attempted to characterize residues of synthetic hormones in beef products [88,[96][97][98]. One study successfully measured hormone residues in these products, finding fractions of ppb residues in the liver, kidney, and muscle tissue of cattle implanted with E2 and TBA [88].…”

“…One study successfully measured hormone residues in these products, finding fractions of ppb residues in the liver, kidney, and muscle tissue of cattle implanted with E2 and TBA [88]. Most other studies examined beef tissue for residues of zeranol, and never found concentrations above quantitation limits [96,97]. One older study that lacked a clear description of its analytical methods looked at beef liver, kidney, and muscle tissue for a suite of hormones (E2, MGA, progesterone, TBA, testosterone, and zeranol) and found no measurable residues [98].…”

Determination of zeranol residues and the serum testosterone oestrogene and progesterone levels in lambs around Ankara region

“…IN limit of the physiological clearance period and the slaughter time of 60-70 days are necessary to wait in these countries. Moreover, residues of the anabolic agents in the ralgro applied animals are investigated using the sensitive analysis techniques (3,22,25,30), and then the permition for the consumption of the meat is given in these at the 35 countries. However, zeranol levels must be zero level in the tissue of Ralgro applied animals.…”

“…A simple and rapid analytical methods were established for detection of anabolic agent. residues in tissues,faeces and urine samples of food producing animals (3,22,25,30).…”

Monitoring natural feed contamination in beef cattle by measurements of urinary zearalenone concentrations after oral administration of mycotoxin adsorbents as a top dressing

“…This mycotoxin is found in the grains of several monocotyledons, including pasture grasses. Due to their agonistic effects on the estrogenic receptor, ZEN and its metabolites exhibit distinct estrogenic and anabolic properties in several animal species which have several effects on the reproductive system (Kleinova et al 2002;Fink-Gremmels and Malekinejad 2007;Minervini and Dell'Aquila 2008). Several approaches for protecting animals from the toxic effects of mycotoxins, including both pre-and post-harvested products, have been conducted (Awad et al 2010).…”