A possible correlation between the blood leukocyte formula and the use of glucocorticoids as growth promoters in beef cattle.

摘要

Blood samples from groups of young bulls and heifers (480 to 550 kg) from 14 Italian farms were examined. Lymphocytopenia, possibly related to the illegal use of corticoids, was detected in 4 of the groups. Whereas individual plasma samples were negative for corticosteroids by 2 commercial ELISA kits, liquid chromatography-mass spectroscopy analysis on pooled plasma detected beclomethasone and fluocinolone acetonide in cattle from 3 of the 4 suspect farms. These corticosteroids are not always efficiently screened by commercial immunoassays. The epidemiological reliability of blood analysis as a screening test for such drugs is discussed in the light of the need for quality certification of the whole meat production processes 'from farm to fork', and for improved animal welfare.