Effects of Subcutaneous Implantation of Trenbolone Acetate and Oestradiol-17β on Plasma Lipid Concentrations in Sheep

Summary

Twenty eight Greyface × Suffolk wethers were allocated to four treatment groups designated TG0, TG1, TG2 and TG3 and were implanted with either 0, 1, 2, or 3 pellets of Revalor containing 17.5 mg trenbolone acetate and 2.5 mg oestradiol-17β per pellet. Blood samples were taken at regular intervals and were analysed for plasma cholesterol, triglyceride, non-esterified fatty acids and phospholipid. Plasma cholesterol concentrations appeared to exhibit a biphasic response to implantation. The magnitude of the response was directly related to the dose level of the implant. In comparison with group TG0, significant decreases in the cholesterol levels in all implanted animals were demonstrated one week after implantation. Between weeks 3 and 5 the cholesterol concentrations in groups TG2 and TG 3 showed a considerable increase. At week 5 the concentration in group TG3 was 18% higher than group TG0. These changes coincided (1) with the initial rapid release and then the gradual decrease after week 2 in the concentration of trenbolone acetate in plasma and (2) with the more gradual release of oestradiol-17β which reached a maximum level in groups TG2 and TG3 between weeks 5 and 6. There were significant differences between groups TG1, TG2 and TG3 at weeks 1, 3 and 5. Plasma triglyceride concentrations in all implanted groups fell markedly by week 5 and remained well below control values until slaughter. The concentration of plasma non-esterified fatty acids decreased by approximately 50% in all four treatment groups. The differences between control and treatment groups were not significant.

Key-Words:

Trenbolone-Acetate - Oestradiol-17β - Sheep Plasma Lipids