STEROIDAL HORMONES PTs (Gestagens and Corticosteroids)

The illicit use of steroidal hormones (natural or synthetic) as growth promoters is a fairly common practice in beef cattle breeding.

However, the use of these compounds poses a serious problem for the health of consumers: the possible accumulation of veterinary drug residues in the edible organs of the animal and in its products, has been defined as potentially dangerous. Possible side effects include the immunosuppressive action and the alterations of the glucose metabolism, with the relative increase of the glycaemia and the insulin resistance.

Current legislation in European Union

The use of hormones and steroid drugs for therapeutic purposes in individual animals, for example for the treatment of fertility-related disorders, is permitted but strictly regulated by specific regulations. These require that a certain period of time must elapse from treatment before the animal is considered suitable for slaughter. All this has the aim of minimizing the presence of any residues in food of animal origin intended for human consumption.
Any use of steroids outside the regular prescription by the veterinarian and the consequent registration in the appropriate register is defined as illicit treatment.
Current legislation provides for the execution of systematic investigations, both in the farm and in the slaughterhouse, aimed at identifying the improper use of steroids as growth promoting agents.

Control mechanism

The European Union has always tried to maintain high standards regarding food safety.
Over the years, the official controls carried out in the various Member States have highlighted the presence of glycocorticosteroids in feed, in the injection sites, in the urine and in the organs, especially in beef cattle.

For EU member states, official investigations are carried out according to the steps of a National Residue Plan, prepared on an annual basis, which indicates the samples to be analysed (urine, liver and sometimes muscle, as is the case of Italy).

Need for innovation

In recent years, in order to fight the illicit use of these drugs, a growing demand has emerged from the market for an innovative method for the detection of steroids (or their effects) even at low doses or in matrices different from those traditionally used (e.g. milk, muscle, water, feed) to accompany official controls.
Our Research & Development team set to work with the aim of satisfying the new needs coming from the market, we are therefore very proud to be able to announce that in 2025 new PTs will be available, in particular:

• Corticosteroids in BOVINE MILK (MI5306/C)
• Gestagens in animal fat (M5411)

Our current offers

Moreover, in our 2025 catalog you can find also the PTs for the search for corticosteroids in 3 different matrices: milk, liver and urines. Also, some PT can be bought in very convenient packages, in particular:

– Aminoglycosides + Corticosteroids in milk with code MI5306

– Thyrostats + Corticosteroids in urine with code U5204A

So, if you buy these PTs in the proposed combination, the economic convenience is guaranteed!

NEW in 2025: PT for the research of Corticosteroids
in bovine milk (code MI5306/C) – Round of May 2025

• Deadline for online order: March 31st 2025
• Shipping date: May 12th 2025
• Test Material: bovine milk, 20ml x 2 samples for confirmatory method or 10ml x 2 samples for screening method (in case the provided volume is not enough, it is possible to order additional material at a reduced price) .
• Molecules under study: betamethasone, dexamethasone, flumethasone, prednisolone, methylprednisolone, prednisone, beclomethasone, triamcinolone, triamcinolone acetonide. Each Test Material may contain one or more of the molecules under study or be blank. It is not mandatory to search for all the analytes under study, you will receive the evaluation only for the molecules actually searched.
• Indicative concentrations: <6ppb
• Niche PT: Test Veritas is specialized in organizing niche PTs that are difficult to find on the market!
• The price is only 362,00€ for confirmatory methods and 324,00€ for screening methods
• If you buy it in combination with Aminoglycosides the price is even more convenient: only 495,00€ for confirmatory methods and 384,00€ for screening methods