UC Davis

Hormonal growth promotants (HGPs) are a class of pharmaceutical agents commonly administered to beef cattle in the United States to improve growth of the animal, and to improve the desired characteristics of retail cuts of meat. In the United States, a high percentage of beef cattle (>80%) are administered at least one HGP prior to slaughter. Hormonal growth promotants can be separated into two classes, either administered compounds which are not endogenously produced or those which are. The synthetic HGPs approved for use in beef cattle are estradiol benzoate, testosterone propionate, trenbolone acetate, melengestrol acetate, and zeranol as well as their metabolites. The HGPs, which can also be endogenous hormones, are 17-estradiol and progesterone. There is a concern that low residual concentrations of these compounds may remain in the tissue after slaughter, and consumption of tissues containing these compounds may increase the risk of developing breast cancer. A liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method was developed and validated to detect the low-level presence of HGPs in retail cuts of meat. Validation parameters including accuracy, precision, recovery, matrix effects, limit of detection, limit of quantitation, linear range, and stability were determined. The limits of detection were in the range of 0.1 – 1.0 pg/mg with adequate accuracy and precision. The data suggests the method is fit-for-use to detect HGPs in retail cuts of meat.