Urinary excretion of diethylstilbestrol in the ostrich : research communication

Abstract

Stilboestrol (R) tablets (20 x 1 mg) were given to 4 ostriches. Urine was collected over a period of 8 days and stored frozen at -20 oC pending analysis. Analyses were performed on a gas chromatograph - mass selective detector for the presence of parent compound and/or metabolites. Diethylstilbestrol and its metabolite, dienestrol, were detected in urine; dienestrol only for 1 day but diethylstilbestrol for 8 days after administration. Residue analysis for the use of diethylstilbestrol as growth promoter can be performed on the urine of ostriches by scanning for parent compound only since it can be detected longer than the metabolite.