Study on cortisol, cortisone and prednisolone presence in urine of Chianina cattle breed

Abstract

Summary The Chianina, one of the oldest and most important cattle breeds of Italy, is now reared all over the world. The Chianina has been known and appreciated since ancient times because, from a nutritional point of view, its meat has no proper rivals. To date, studies have been performed to evaluate the genetic profile of the breed, but knowledge about the chemical profile is generally lacking. Due to the increased interest from farmers regarding breeding of the Chianina, this study proposes a preliminary evaluation of main endogenous urinary corticosteroids (cortisol and cortisone) and most commonly used synthetic one (dexamethasone). Moreover, after recent findings regarding the presence of endogenous prednisolone in the urine of more popular breeds, particular attention was given to analysis of the presence of prednisolone and prednisone, as well. For this aim, the urine samples of 12 young cows and 30 young bulls was collected at the farms and analysed using a fit‐for‐purpose LC‐MS/MS method. The preliminary results of this study show that prednisolone was found only in Chianina females (3 out of 12). Cortisol and cortisone were found at concentrations that showed a high inter‐individual variability, and that were higher in female urine compared to that of males.

Urinary glucocorticoids in harbour seal (Phoca vitulina) pups during rehabilitation

“…Our finding of endogenous prednisolone and prednisone in substantial urinary concentrations in rehab harbour seal pups was unexpected. Endogenous urinary prednisolone has been found to occur only in very low concentrations in cattle, with the CL:PL ratio of 25:1 in adult cows (Chiesa et al, 2017), 29–64:1 in veal calves, Famele et al, 2015), and only ~100:1 in humans (Fidan et al, 2013). Endogenous urinary PN has so far been reported as absent in adult cattle (Chiesa et al 2017, Vincenti et al 2012), although present in trace amounts (CL:PN ratio 43:1) in a small proportion of veal calves (Famele et al 2015).…”

Urinary glucocorticoids in harbour seal (Phoca vitulina) pups during rehabilitation

“…By contrast, endogenous urinary PL and PN has been found to occur only in low concentrations in Chianina cows (CL:PL ratio of 25:1), even lower concentrations in Friesian veal calves (CL:PL ratio range 29-64:1, [48], and with a CL:PL ratio of ~100:1 in humans [59]. Similarly, endogenous PN has so far been reported to be absent in Piedmontese, Friesian and Chianini cattle [45,47], although present in trace amounts (CL:PN ratio 43:1) in a small proportion of Friesian veal calves [48]. The present report of endogenous PL and PN in significant concentrations in rehab harbour seal pups appears to be the first such finding in a mammal species.…”

“…Endogenous levels of urinary CN have been investigated in cattle in both natural conditions [45] and conditions assumed to be stressful [46]. Urinary prednisolone (PL) and prednisone (PN) have often been considered to be synthetic GCs, but may also be naturally-occurring in cattle in trace amounts, becoming elevated in stressful situations [47,48].…”