J.C.W. (Jeroen) Rijk: Screening for prohormone abuse in livestock production

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3 Dec 2010 11:00
Location: Aula, building 362, Gen. Foulkesweg 1, Wageningen
Organisation: Wageningen University
Promotor: prof. dr. M.W.F. Nielen , prof. dr.ir. I.M.C.M. Rietjens
Co Promotor: Dr. A.A.C.M. Peijnenburg, dr. M.J. Groot

 Within the European Union the use of growth promoting agents in cattle farming is prohibited. During inspections at livestock farms in The Netherlands, inspection services are occasionally confronted with preparations containing so-called prohormones. Prohormones are compounds with no or limited direct hormonal activity but have hormonal effects upon conversion in the body.

In the current research, methods were developed to detect prohormones in animal feed and supplements by mimicking these metabolic processes in a laboratory setting. This approach resulted in a significant increase in hormonal activity and subsequently positive screening results in bioassays which measure that hormonal activity.

In addition the usefulness of profiling (“omics”) techniques was investigated. Comparing metabolite profiles in urine or gene profiles in liver revealed large differences between controls and prohormone treated animals. Altogether, the outcomes of this research resulted in a panel of new concepts and screening methods to detect prohormone abuse in livestock production, hereby complementing and improving the current testing programs.

Title thesis: Hormonal effects of prohormones – Novel approaches towards effect based screening in veterinary growth promoter control.

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