Anabolic Steroid Information Sheet
From: phanilah (Original Message) Sent: 3/5/2005 4:58 PM
See terminology list at end, for definitions of bolded terms
Anabolic steroids are synthetic compounds structurally related to the male hormone testosterone. These drugs have the benefit of producing the same type of building (anabolic) activity of testosterone, but have fewer masculinizing (androgenic) effects.
Anabolic steroids belong to a group of hormones called steroids. The steroid group includes the anabolic steroids, the corticosteroids (potent anti-inflammatory drugs), and the sex hormones (testosterone, estrogens, progesterone). It is important to realize that anabolic steroids and corticosteroids are different types of drugs. They have different uses and they exhibit different side effects.
In equines, the most commonly used anabolic steroids are Equipoise® (Boldenone Undecylenate) and Winstrol-V® (Stanozolol).
Uses:
Therapeutic
Anabolic steroids are indicated for short-term use in treating severely debilitated individuals, such as following a prolonged illness, extreme abuse, major surgery and/or severe injury. The reason for this is that the proper use of these drugs produces increased muscle mass and strength, a stimulated appetite, increased red blood cell volume, improved healing of wounds, increased bone density, and improvement of general physical condition (including mental attitude) – all of which help in speeding recovery. In young animals, anabolic steroid use will result in accelerated growth.
It is important to realize that even when used in these indicated circumstances, anabolic steroids should only be considered as an adjunct to therapy for a specific disease, surgery and/or traumatic injury. The improved well being of horses being given anabolic steroids is also directly tied to receiving proper nutrition and treatment for the underlying disease or problem.
Performance Enhancement
Ironically, the positive side effects of legitimate rehabilitative use of anabolic steroids makes the drugs ideal candidates for use (and subsequent abuse) as performance enhancing substances. In the show ring, anabolic steroids are most commonly used to chemically enhance the muscle mass and attitude of halter horses. In performance disciplines, the chemical enhancement obtained by anabolic steroid use is thought to help increase strength and competitive attitude. In addition, anabolic steroids also have the ability to stimulate appetite, accelerate the recuperative process, and allow for heavier training sessions than would otherwise be possible, without the drugs. These drugs are used on all sexes.
Side Effects:
Quoted from Equine Drugs and Vaccines: A Guide for Owners and Trainers, Eleanor M. Kellon, VMD in consultation with Thomas Tobin, MVB, MRCVS, 1995
"Equipoise – Side Effects/Toxicity
When used as indicated (i.e., for severely debilitated animals following a prolonged illness, severe injury or surgery, or following extreme abuse), and for short treatment periods, side effects/toxicity are short lived and self-limiting, usually disappearing in 6-8 weeks. When abused, as in the regular administration to young animals to enhance muscular development before sales or to performance animals to increase athletic ability, side effects are more serious, more long lasting, and possibly permanent. Side effects include:
Premature closure of growth plates
Impaired fertility in males and females.
Development of androgenic side effects of increased aggressiveness and uncontrollable behavior."
Some additional considerations regarding the documented side effects of anabolic steroid use are listed below:
Stallions: increased libido/hypersexual behavior, overaggressiveness, reduced sperm production, structural changes in the testes, testicular atrophy.
Mares: stallion like behavior, interference with normal heat cycles, ovarian atrophy, enlarged clitoris. Note: once the drug is withdrawn, normal cycles usually resume, although it may take several months, possibly years.
Young horses: premature closure of growth plates in bones.
General: water and sodium retention (caution needed when using on horses with heart or kidney problems), possible inflammation of liver/and or liver tumors (as reported in other species), possible changes in the composition of blood lipids (associated with heart disease in humans).
Schedule III Classification
As a result of the "Anabolic Steroids Control Act of 1990", anabolic steroids were added as a Schedule III drug to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s Controlled Substances Act (CSA). It is interesting to note that the majority of the witnesses who testified at these hearings, in support of adding anabolic steroids to the CSA, were representatives from the athletic world (both amateur and professional). The primary focus of this testimony was to request enactment of legislation to help stop "cheating" in athletic competition. Certainly, an interesting tie in with the past efforts within the equine world to ban the use of these drugs.
Although the CSA does not include anabolic steroids that are "expressly intended for administration through implants to cattle or other nonhuman species and which have been approved by the Secretary of Health and Human Services for such administration", the anabolic steroids used in equines are included in the CSA anabolic steroid list. Although the CSA does not address anabolic steroid use in horses, it does raise an interesting point that illegal possession or distribution of these drugs is a federal offense. The moral of the story being – anabolic steroid use is considered a very serious matter in humans and it can carry with it serious legal implications.
Anabolic – promoting growth and development; relates to increase in muscle mass and bone in regard to anabolic steroid use.
Anabolic steroids - synthetic compounds structurally related to the male hormone testosterone. These drugs have the benefit of producing the same type of anabolic (building) activity of testosterone, but have fewer androgenic (masculinizing) effects.
Androgenic – pertains to activity of male sex hormones that develop and maintain masculine characteristics; relates to secondary sex characteristics, such as aggressiveness/hypersexual behavior in regard to anabolic steroid use.
Blood lipids – fatty molecules found in the blood.
Corticosteroids – potent anti-inflammatory drugs; a member of the steroid group.
Estrogens – female sex hormones produced by the ovary that develop and maintain female reproductive structures and secondary sex characteristics.
Hormones – secretions of the endocrine tissues that alters the physiological activity of the target cells in the body.
Ovarian atrophy – shrinkage of the ovaries.
Progesterone - female sex hormone produced by the ovaries that helps prepare the uterus for implantation of a fertilized egg and to maintain pregnancy.
Steroids - class of hormone that is derived from cholesterol and shares a basic four-ring structure; includes anabolic steroids, corticosteroids and reproductive hormones.
Testicular atrophy – shrinkage of the testicles
Testosterone – male sex hormone secreted by the testes that controls growth and development of male sex organs, secondary sex characteristics, sperm and body growth.
From: phanilah in response to Message 1 Sent: 3/5/2005 5:03 PM
On a more pratical level, here are some personal thoughts on why anabolic steroids are used in equine competition...
IMO, the underlying motivation for using anabolic steroids is the same as the underlying motivation for using any drug in competition. For many (but certainly not all) in the world of competition (especially in the upper levels of a sport), the desire to win is first and foremost...sometimes with the end justifying the means. Ego alone can be a primary cause, but when you add $$$$ in (especially big $$$$)- it can really mix things up even more.
The whole premise behind using performance enhancing drugs is their very real potential to allow an athlete to be able to perform better than they would otherwise be able to. In the case of anabolic steroids, it isn't just about adding muscle and even at that, it's not necessarily about adding massive amounts of equine bulk.
For halter horses (especially geldings), being able to carry some more muscle, than would otherwise be obtained with their training program, can certainly have its advantages. Add some additional "attitude and bloom" to the "show aspect" and there is another benefit. Of course, adding size to younger horses can have obvious benefits in competition and the sales ring - for horses competing against others of the same age.
But muscle and attitude aren't the only "advantages" to using anabolic steroids. Anabolic steroids also have the ability to stimulate appetite, accelerate the recuperative process, and allow for heavier training sessions than would otherwise be possible, without the drugs.
That opens a BIG door for trainers who either want to rush the process, get more benefits than their training can give, or who want to push their horses to the absolute limits...all for the sake of "winning the prize".
Some trainers rely on the drugs to help counter the effects of tremendously stressful training sessions and competition schedules. That might sound "therapeutic" to some people, but to me - if a horse requires anabolic steroids in order to successfully go through the training process or show schedule...then there is something VERY wrong with that picture.
That's why I find the defense of anabolic steroid use in competition so very disturbing, if not just plain scary. Not to mention the ethical issues here.
So, this part of the peanut gallery has spoken.
Beth
MB II Arabians
Colorado
American Foundation Bred
CMK/Fadjur/Azraff-Ferzon
Re: Anabolic Steroid Information Sheet
From: hotfudgesundae in response to Message 2 Sent: 3/5/2005 6:07 PM
And from a breeding perspective - you're putting fertility at risk, and
obviously what you see is NOT what you get when it's enhanced by anabolics.
Much of that tips beyond merely (??) unethical to outright fraud.
MB II Arabians
Colorado
American Foundation Bred
CMK/Fadjur/Azraff-Ferzon
Re: Anabolic Steroid Information Sheet
From: rideemwp in response to Message 2 Sent: 3/13/2005 10:10 AM
Hi Beth,
After all these years, we are still on the same side in this discussion.
Let me ask you a question, when the recent scandals came out about Balco Labs and their designer steroids, I read that a specific test had to be developed for each particular brand/type of steriod, is this true? Or that the test has to be modied to test for a range of these brands/types of steroids (i.e. stansibol, etc.)?
Frank
MB II Arabians
Colorado
American Foundation Bred
CMK/Fadjur/Azraff-Ferzon
Re: Anabolic Steroid Information Sheet
From: phanilah in response to Message 1 Sent: 3/15/2005 10:05 PM
Hi Frank,
You're right, for as much as things change, they seem to stay the same.
Although a particular test for a specific anabolic steroid can have cross reactions with other types of anabolic steroids, there is no single, overall test to detect the presence of the drugs. So, for all practical purposes, specific tests need to be developed for the various types...to ensure accuracy.
Beth
MB II Arabians
Colorado
American Foundation Bred
CMK/Fadjur/Azraff-Ferzon
Re: Anabolic Steroid Information Sheet
From: rideemwp in response to Message 5 Sent: 3/16/2005 8:37 PM
So, then the test that USEF performed at the US Nationals might not have found a problem if they weren't testing for a commonly used steroid or if a vet that was on the USEF meds committee had been tipped off as to what was being tested for used something different. But then we will never know.
Frank
MB II Arabians
Colorado
American Foundation Bred
CMK/Fadjur/Azraff-Ferzon
Re: Anabolic Steroid Information Sheet
From: phanilah in response to Message 6 Sent: 3/17/2005 11:59 AM
It's certainly possible. Albeit, I wouldn't expect the horse world to be as extreme in terms of using the great variety of substances available and used in human athletes (i.e. hunting down, getting access to and paying for some of the more obscure anabolics that would be difficult to test for)...but you and I both know that there were some MAJOR questions as to how USEF conducted that "secret testing".
But, beyond that, the fact that USEF believes that the substances have a "therapeutic" use in competition and want to protect the drug's status as a permitted substance is just mind boggling and quite disheartening.
The Congressional hearing testimony re: anabolic steroids and baseball will be interesting to watch...too bad the US horse world can't seem to get on board with the rest of the world, in terms of not allowing the drugs.
Beth
MB II Arabians
Colorado
American Foundation Bred
CMK/Fadjur/Azraff-Ferzon
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