title: [Hormones in animal production--a health risk for the consumer?].
abstract: In 1988 the EEC has banned the use of anabolic substances like hormones such as testosterone, progesterone and estradiol-17 beta in animal production. The use of these hormones is found to be effective in reducing the quantity of feed without any significant changes in the liveweight of the animal. Officially the EEC asserted that the prohibition of the use of hormones in animal production would protect the consumer. The USA permit the use of specific anabolics in animal production. These are applied on certain parts of the animals such as ear which in any case are part of the offal. Application of hormones does not result in any significant alteration in the hormonal level "in vivo". The quantity of hormones which may be ingested through meat is comparatively very small to the levels synthesized in the body of human beings, even in children. Additionally, these substances when introduced orally have no significant physiological activity. The World Health Organization (WHO) has concluded in 1987 that use of hormones in animal production has no adverse effect on the health of the consumer. The prohibition of these hormones seems to be more for political and economical reasons than for their harmful side effects for the consumer.
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Arneth
mesh_terms: D045930:Anabolic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000822:Animal Husbandry; D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle; D005506:Food Contamination / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence* / Q000517:prevention & control; D005858:Germany; D006801:Humans; D008460:Meat / Q000009:adverse effects*
chemical_list: D045930:Anabolic Agents
vernacular_title: Hormone in der Mast--ein gesundheitliches Risiko für den Verbraucher?