[Anabolic steroid residues in administration sites in slaughtering cattle. October 1983 - January 1985]

Samples from 573 sites of injection or implantation in carcasses of slaughtered cattle and veal calves in the Netherlands were studied by high performance liquid chromatography associated with on-line detection of the total UV spectrum (diode array detector). Anabolic substances were identified in 462 (100%) out of 573 samples. Nortestosterone was most frequently detected (84%) during the period from October 1983 to January 1985. Other xenobiotic steroids observed were medroxyprogesterone (14%), methyltestosterone (2%) and trenbolone (2%). The 'natural' steroids testosterone, oestradiol and progesterone were found in 29%, 66% and 3% of the samples respectively. The stilbene derivatives diethylstilboestrol (DES), dienestrol and hexoestrol were found in 2%, 3% and 0% of the samples. After re-introduction of DES control in the urine of cattle early in 1984, DES residues were no longer detected in the samples from sites of administration. Zeranol was not observed at all. If applicable, all anabolic agents were found to be present in a variety of esterified dosage forms.