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A new way to uncover the previously undetectable doping of racehorses has been developed by scientists.
The researchers from the UK, Australia and South Africa conducted a survey of 2,000 horses. Their lab tests have shown that the use of equine growth hormone (EGH) can be revealed by looking for specific chemical markers.
Such a test will not only stop any cheating but help police the welfare of horses which can be crippled through EGH abuse.
As a naturally occurring substance, detecting injected EGH is essentially impossible as it disappears from the body within hours.
However, the drug "increases muscle mass, makes a horse look better and may make it run faster," said one of the scientists, Dr Joanne Price at University College London.
"No one has been caught doping horses in this way, but then no one could be caught, as there is no test," she told BBC News Online. "But there are rumours that trainers have been offered growth hormone."
Persistent rumours
Former racehorse trainer Charlie Brooks claimed last October that performance-enhancing drugs like EGH were being administered by trainers.
He told the UK's Racing Post: "I strongly believe that there are trainers in Britain who are giving their horses drugs to get an edge."
Horse BBC
Doping could damage young horses
However, the UK's Jockey Club said on Wednesday: "There is no evidence of the use of equine growth hormone in thoroughbreds in this country."
Dr Brian Shears, Chief Executive of the UK's Horse Racing Forensic Lab, added: "I'm not aware of any evidence, but if it was found or was in the future it would need to be controlled."
Because of the speed with which the hormone disappears from the horse's body, an indirect test is required. One chemical produced as a result of an equine growth hormone injection is called IGF-1.
The scientists' survey determined the normal level of IGF-1 in racehorses and their lab tests showed that the raised levels of the chemical lasted a few weeks.
Animal welfare
A future possibility is to use bone marker chemicals, which are raised for up to six months, but these have much more natural variability.
Professor Martin Sillence is at Charles Sturt University in Australia, the country on which many of the doping rumours have centred. He led the scientific study.
He said the new test had only a one in 30,000 chance of giving a false result.
Horseracing laboratories throughout the world will now consider adopting the new tool.
"It's not only a doping issue, animal welfare is involved," Professor Sillence said. "High doses of growth hormone can damage growing bones, and could eventually cripple a young horse. Hopefully we can prevent that."
The new research was presented at the annual meeting of the British Endocrine Society on Wednesday.
The researchers from the UK, Australia and South Africa conducted a survey of 2,000 horses. Their lab tests have shown that the use of equine growth hormone (EGH) can be revealed by looking for specific chemical markers.
Such a test will not only stop any cheating but help police the welfare of horses which can be crippled through EGH abuse.
As a naturally occurring substance, detecting injected EGH is essentially impossible as it disappears from the body within hours.
However, the drug "increases muscle mass, makes a horse look better and may make it run faster," said one of the scientists, Dr Joanne Price at University College London.
"No one has been caught doping horses in this way, but then no one could be caught, as there is no test," she told BBC News Online. "But there are rumours that trainers have been offered growth hormone."
Persistent rumours
Former racehorse trainer Charlie Brooks claimed last October that performance-enhancing drugs like EGH were being administered by trainers.
He told the UK's Racing Post: "I strongly believe that there are trainers in Britain who are giving their horses drugs to get an edge."
Horse BBC
Doping could damage young horses
However, the UK's Jockey Club said on Wednesday: "There is no evidence of the use of equine growth hormone in thoroughbreds in this country."
Dr Brian Shears, Chief Executive of the UK's Horse Racing Forensic Lab, added: "I'm not aware of any evidence, but if it was found or was in the future it would need to be controlled."
Because of the speed with which the hormone disappears from the horse's body, an indirect test is required. One chemical produced as a result of an equine growth hormone injection is called IGF-1.
The scientists' survey determined the normal level of IGF-1 in racehorses and their lab tests showed that the raised levels of the chemical lasted a few weeks.
Animal welfare
A future possibility is to use bone marker chemicals, which are raised for up to six months, but these have much more natural variability.
Professor Martin Sillence is at Charles Sturt University in Australia, the country on which many of the doping rumours have centred. He led the scientific study.
He said the new test had only a one in 30,000 chance of giving a false result.
Horseracing laboratories throughout the world will now consider adopting the new tool.
"It's not only a doping issue, animal welfare is involved," Professor Sillence said. "High doses of growth hormone can damage growing bones, and could eventually cripple a young horse. Hopefully we can prevent that."
The new research was presented at the annual meeting of the British Endocrine Society on Wednesday.