AU: Veterinary Product Warning: Testosterone

[filou007de]

From www.thedogs.com.au

GRNSW Veterinary Product Warning: Testosterone

Written by: GRNSW

23/11/12

Participants are advised that Greyhounds Australasia has recently adopted a
change to the National Racing Rules that will see the introduction of a
detection threshold for testosterone metabolites in urine samples taken from
racing bitches.

Testosterone is commonly used in bitches to prevent oestrus (season).

The introduction of the detection threshold from 1 January 2013 means it is
essential that all participants understand the measures which should be
taken to ensure their racing bitches do not return a positive sample to
testosterone.

GRNSW's Greyhound Welfare and Veterinary Services Unit advises that
Testosterone Propionate is the only product containing testosterone that is
recommended for use, providing administration is at a rate of 25mg (or less)
dosage and is withheld for six days prior to a race.

The Greyhound Welfare and Veterinary Services Unit warns trainers against
the use of any longer acting testosterone products, which will have a
significantly longer excretion time.

These products may include, but are not limited to:

- Ropel

- Duratestone

- Sustanon Injection

- Andriol Testocaps

Testosterone products with longer excretion times, such as those listed
above, can take up to six weeks to clear a greyhound's system. As a result,
participants should note the new rule's starting date of 1 January 2013.

Participants should also note that products containing ethyloestrenoal, such
as Nandoral and Nitrotain, can also be used to control oestrus without
infringing the prohibited substances rules.

GRNSW reminds participants that it is essential that they always consult a
veterinary surgeon prior to administration of any substance containing
testosterone. Testosterone Propionate and related testosterone products are
prescription medications which can only be administered under the
supervision of a veterinary surgeon.

Once the detection threshold is introduced, it will be a participant's
responsibility to ensure that a greyhound treated with a testosterone
related product strictly complies with the detection threshold set out in
the rules.

The introduction of the detection threshold follows extensive research using
Testosterone Propionate, which identified an exempted level set at a
concentration of or below 10 nanograms per millilitre of the testosterone
metabolite 5beta-androstane-3alpha, 17beta-diol (also known as BaB).

GRNSW reminds participants that reliance on this advice cannot constitute a
defence to a breach of the new Rule 83 (6).

Please contact GRNSW's Greyhound Welfare and Veterinary Services Unit on
(02) 8767 0500 for any further clarification