Non-invasive screening for treatment of heifers with the anabolic steroid melengestrol acetate (MGA) by feces analysis

J Immunoassay Immunochem. 2003;24(3):265-72. doi: 10.1081/IAS-120022936.

Abstract

For eight weeks, two heifers each had been orally administered daily doses of 0, 1.5, or 5 mg melengestrol acetate (MGA) in a feed premix. Four heifers received the labeled dose of 0.5 mg/day. Regular feces samples were taken throughout the experiment. A rapid screening method for the determination of MGA in feces was developed, consisting of liquid extraction, clean-up on solid-phase extraction cartridges and quantification by enzyme immunoassay (ELISA). Residues in feces were dose-dependent with mean values of < 0.25, 2.0, 4.4, or 15.4 ng/g for 0, 0.5, 1.5, and 5 mg/day doses, respectively. In contrast to urine analysis, feces analysis appeared to be a suitable means of non-invasive screening before slaughter for surveillance of MGA treatment and verification of its compliance with labeled dosage.

Publication types

  • Validation Study

MeSH terms

  • Administration, Oral
  • Anabolic Agents / administration & dosage*
  • Anabolic Agents / analysis*
  • Animals
  • Cattle
  • Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay / methods*
  • Feces / chemistry*
  • Female
  • Food Contamination / analysis
  • Food Contamination / prevention & control
  • Melengestrol Acetate / administration & dosage*
  • Melengestrol Acetate / analysis*

Substances

  • Anabolic Agents
  • Melengestrol Acetate