Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Hydrocortisone Concentrations in Post-Race Urine from Horses

  • Published:
Veterinary Research Communications Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

As hydrocortisone is an endogenous substance, it is first necessary to establish its normal concentrations so as to be able to control its use in racing animals. This study was designed to establish the hydrocortisone concentrations in post-race urine samples of horses racing in Brazil and also to evaluate the results in relation to the international threshold set for this drug. Urine samples were analysed by HPLC-UV. The results were evaluated according to the concentration range as well as sex and time of sample collection (afternoon or evening races). The results showed a high degree of variation in the concentrations of hydrocortisone in the urine (93±69 ng/ml). The maximum concentration observed was 646 ng/ml, although only a few horses (around 1%) showed levels within the range 500–650 ng/ml, 91% being in the range 0–150 ng/ml. The data suggested a normal distribution curve. Statistical analysis showed no significant influence of sex or time of sample collection.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

REFERENCES

  • DFFPA, 1996. Ministério da Agricultura, do Abastecimento e da Reforma Agrária. Secretaria de Desenvolvimento Rural. Departamento de Fiscalização e Fomento da Produção Animal, 1996. Código nacional de corridas, (DFFPA, Brasília), Doping 60-65

    Google Scholar 

  • Gotzmann, A., Schänzer, W. and Donike, M., 1995. The quantification of cortisol (hydrocortisone) in horse urine by HPLC and GC/MS: screening and confirmation. In: Proceedings of the X International Conference of Racing Analysts and Veterinarians, Stockholm, 1994, 307-309

  • Houghton, E., 1995. Currently in place thresholds: an overview of their development and application-approach #1a: published thresholds: endogenous and dietary substances: the theobromine and hydrocortisone threshold values. In: Proceedings of the Testing for Therapeutic Medications, Environmental and Dietary Substances in Racing Horses Workshop, Lexington, 1995, 69-73

  • Irvine, C.H.G., Huun, R.J. and Alexander, S.L., 1988. The cortisol concentration in post-race urine of racehorses, and factors affecting it. In: Proceedings of the VII International Conference of Racing Analysts and Veterinarians, Kentucky, 1988, 101-105

  • Popot, M.A., Laroute, V., Lacabaratz, E., Garcia, P., Toutain, P.L. and Cowan, D.A., 1996. New approaches to detect cortisol administration: a preliminary study. In: Proceedings of the XI International Conference of Racing Analysts and Veterinarians, Queensland, 1996, 62-67

  • Popot, M.A., Hougton, E., Ginn, A., Jones, M., Teale, P., Samuels, T., Lassourd, V., Dunnet, N., Cowan, D.A., Bonnaire, Y. and Toutain, P.L., 1997. Cortisol concentrations in post competition horse urine: a French and British survey. Equine Veterinary Journal, 29, 226-229

    Google Scholar 

  • Ralston, J.M., Stenhouse, A.M., Stenhouse, N.S., Buck, G.J., Lucks, S.F., Reynoldson, J.A. and Bolton, J.R., 1988. Cortisol concentration in blood and urine of horses. Australian Veterinary Journal, 65, 1-5

    Google Scholar 

  • Ralston, J.M., Stenhouse, A.M. and Russo, C.I., 1990. Cortisol levels in blood and urine of horses. In: Proceedings of the VIII International Conference on Racing Analysts and Veterinarians, Harare, 1990, 181-186

  • Ribeiro-Neto, L.M., Spinosa, H.S. and Salvadori, M.C., 1997. The use of ELISA tests and immunoaffinity chromatography combined with reverse-phase high performance liquid chromatography for dexamethasone detection in equine urine. Journal of Analytical Toxicology, 21, 393-396

    Google Scholar 

  • Samuels, T., Teale, P. and Houghton, E., 1995. Applications of bench-top LC/MS to drug analysis in the horse: I. Development of a quantitative method for urinary hydrocortisone. In: Proceedings of the X International Conference of Racing Analysts and Veterinarians, Stockholm, 1994, 115-118

  • Toutain, P.L., Oukessou, M., Autefage, A. and Alvinerie, M., 1988. Diurnal and episodic variations of plasma hydrocortisone concentrations in horses. Domestic Animal Endocrinology, 5, 55-59

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Antidoping Control, Jockey Club of Saõ Paulo, Saõ Paulo-SP, Brazil

    L.M. Ribeiro Neto & M.C. Salvadori

  2. Toxikón Assessoria Toxicológica, Saõ Paulo-SP, Brazil

    L.M. Ribeiro Neto

  3. Department of Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Saõ Paulo, Saõ Paulo-SP, Brazil

    H.S. Spinosa

Authors
  1. L.M. Ribeiro Neto
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. M.C. Salvadori
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. H.S. Spinosa
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Ribeiro Neto, L., Salvadori, M. & Spinosa, H. Hydrocortisone Concentrations in Post-Race Urine from Horses. Vet Res Commun 24, 239–244 (2000). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1006446832599

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1006446832599

Search

Navigation