Safety and concerns of hormonal application in farm animal production: a review

Veterinarians and animal producers use non-essential compounds via either feed additives or implantation for a long history as growth promoters for farm animals. These compounds, such as anabolic hormones, bovine somatotropin, Beta-agonists, have multiple positive effects and improve animal performance in many meat-exporting countries due to their anabolic activity. However, some of them may cause carcinogenic effects to the consumer. Anabolic hormones are now permitted to be used as growth promoters on a global scale, but have not been permitted in the EU since 1988. Unlawfully, drugs are sometimes added to farm animal feeds to improve muscle growth, feed utilization efficiency, milk production, and nitrogen retention in order to obtain an economic benefit in a shorter period.. In this article, we review the current knowledge on the safety and hazard of an anabolic compound as endocrine disruptor, not only on food, animals and public health but also on the environment, to arrive at recommendations for risk management and avoidance. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approves seven hormone drugs (testosterone propionate, trenbolone acetate, estradiol, zeranol, progesterone, melengestrol acetate, and bovine somatotropin) for use in food animals for many purposes. Synthetic hormones were higher stability and longer persistence in the environment.

Automated summary

Veterinarians and animal producers have historically used non-essential compounds as growth promoters for farm animals, but some of these compounds may have carcinogenic effects on consumers. While anabolic hormones are permitted globally, they are not allowed in the EU. Illegally adding drugs to animal feeds for economic benefit poses risks. This article reviews the safety and hazards of anabolic compounds as endocrine disruptors on food, animals, public health, and the environment, and provides recommendations for risk management and avoidance.