Statement on Cobalt Testing in Greyhounds by Derek A Major
Jul 24, 2017 12:38:18 GMT 10
Post by Tom Meulman on Jul 24, 2017 12:38:18 GMT 10
STATEMENT ON COBALT TESTING IN GREYHOUNDS:
Derek A Major BVSc MACVSc CMAVA
I have been in Equine Veterinary Practice since 1989. In January, 2014 I was granted an Animal Care and Ethics Permit to perform cobalt excretion studies in horses, and I have been performing various trials on the urine and blood levels of cobalt in horses following routine administration of common vitamins and minerals. I have been involved in providing advice and evidence to horse trainers charged with breaching current cobalt regulations in Thoroughbred and Harness Racing.
I have no interest, financial or otherwise, in the sport of Greyhound racing. I am however deeply disturbed that the industry has followed the lead from horse racing and imposed a urinary threshold on cobalt in dogs. I believe that the horse threshold was developed on inadequate and flawed science.
I am a strong champion of animal welfare, and I fully appreciate regularity authorities’ concern to protect the welfare of dogs and horses. I would condemn any attempt to wilfully dose any animal with large doses of cobalt, for perceived performance advantage.
Cobalt is an essential trace nutrient in mammals. Its sole role is as a structural component of the Vitamin B12 (cobalamin) molecule, which is essential to red blood cell function.
I have 3 areas of concern:
1. Urine is the wrong test medium
Cobalt is one of a group of elements classified as “heavy metals”. This group includes iron, copper, zinc, arsenic, selenium and lead, among others. Some of these are essential to life, in varying quantities – cobalt being one of them. Characteristic of heavy metals is the tendency to accumulate in a number of body tissues. High levels can lead to signs of toxicity. Cobalt intoxication has been reported in humans, and lead poisoning is recognised in many species.
When a horse or dog is exposed to a continued low level of cobalt levels in the blood plasma and red cells rises. Most of the cobalt in blood is bound to plasma protein, and ultimately is incorporated into the red blood cells, where it remains for the life of the cell – around 120 days. This may account for 90% of the cobalt in blood, and is NOT measured in urine tests.
Urine testing simply measures the free ionised cobalt “spilling over” into the urine. Urine testing measures what “was” in the animal” not what “is” in the animal.
Indeed, such simple factors as water intake and concentration of the urine can have a profound effect on urine cobalt levels. As a starting point it is essential to correct measured levels against urine creatinine or specific gravity.
The more appropriate test is that adopted.
2. Cobalt is not performance- enhancing
Interest in illicit cobalt use as a performance-enhancer in racing horses and dogs can be traced back to some speculative articles in the lay press from the sport of Cycling. It was proposed that cobalt in humans might stimulate erythropoietin (EPO), and lead to increased red cell production. This speculation comes from discussions in the scientific literature dating back to the 1940’s and even 1930’s, which referred to laboratory studies on rabbit and rat red blood cells.
Such studies as have been done in horses have failed to support this proposal, showing No increase in red cells and NO increase in haemopoietin, even after very large doses of cobalt.
Given the120 day life span of red blood cells any such effect would require dosing months before racing, and raceday urine testing would be irrelevant. Furthermore, given the massive reserves of red blood cells stored in the spleen it is highly questionable whether increasing the count would make the horse run faster or slower.
3. Uncontrolled Population Studies are Flawed
The horse urine level was set on the basis of statistical analysis of an uncontrolled population study. Without reliable knowledge of the total cobalt exposure of each individual in the study, the “normal” range cannot be defined. I understand a parallel approach has been adopted for Greyhound Racing. Total exposure includes “native” cobalt in the feed, water and environment, as well as legitimate vitamin and mineral supplements, in addition to any illicit administration.
4. Greyhound Racing does not need to invent a new “scandal”.
Having previously stated my disinterest I can only observe that Greyhound Racing in New South Wales is struggling to improve its reputation in the public eye. In my opinion Horse Racing has suffered a severe loss of reputation in recent years, and many trainers have been unfairly disadvantaged, on the basis of flawed and inadequate science. I would urge the Grey hound industry NOT to follow that path.
Association of Racing Commissioners
International. Cobalt in blood plasma is measured, and sanctions applied when the level exceeds 25ppm.
2. Cobalt is not performance- enhancing
Interest in illicit cobalt use as a performance-enhancer in racing horses and dogs can be traced back to some speculative articles in the lay press from the sport of Cycling. It was proposed that cobalt in humans might stimulate erythropoietin (EPO), and lead to increased red cell production. This speculation comes from discussions in the scientific literature dating back to the 1940’s and even 1930’s, which referred to laboratory studies on rabbit and rat red blood cells.
Such studies as have been done in horses have failed to support this proposal, showing No increase in red cells and NO increase in haemopoietin, even after very large doses of cobalt.
Given the120 day life span of red blood cells any such effect would require dosing months before racing, and raceday urine testing would be irrelevant. Furthermore, given the massive reserves of red blood cells stored in the spleen it is highly questionable whether increasing the count would make the horse run faster or slower.
3. Uncontrolled Population Studies are Flawed
The horse urine level was set on the basis of statistical analysis of an uncontrolled population study. Without reliable knowledge of the total cobalt exposure of each individual in the study, the “normal” range cannot be defined. I understand a parallel approach has been adopted for Greyhound Racing. Total exposure includes “native” cobalt in the feed, water and environment, as well as legitimate vitamin and mineral supplements, in addition to any illicit administration.
4. Greyhound Racing does not need to invent a new “scandal”.
Having previously stated my disinterest I can only observe that Greyhound Racing in New South Wales is struggling to improve its reputation in the public eye. In my opinion Horse Racing has suffered a severe loss of reputation in recent years, and many trainers have been unfairly disadvantaged, on the basis of flawed and inadequate science. I would urge the Greyhound industry NOT to follow that path.
Copied from a Facebook post by National Greyhound Racing United
Derek A Major BVSc MACVSc CMAVA
I have been in Equine Veterinary Practice since 1989. In January, 2014 I was granted an Animal Care and Ethics Permit to perform cobalt excretion studies in horses, and I have been performing various trials on the urine and blood levels of cobalt in horses following routine administration of common vitamins and minerals. I have been involved in providing advice and evidence to horse trainers charged with breaching current cobalt regulations in Thoroughbred and Harness Racing.
I have no interest, financial or otherwise, in the sport of Greyhound racing. I am however deeply disturbed that the industry has followed the lead from horse racing and imposed a urinary threshold on cobalt in dogs. I believe that the horse threshold was developed on inadequate and flawed science.
I am a strong champion of animal welfare, and I fully appreciate regularity authorities’ concern to protect the welfare of dogs and horses. I would condemn any attempt to wilfully dose any animal with large doses of cobalt, for perceived performance advantage.
Cobalt is an essential trace nutrient in mammals. Its sole role is as a structural component of the Vitamin B12 (cobalamin) molecule, which is essential to red blood cell function.
I have 3 areas of concern:
1. Urine is the wrong test medium
Cobalt is one of a group of elements classified as “heavy metals”. This group includes iron, copper, zinc, arsenic, selenium and lead, among others. Some of these are essential to life, in varying quantities – cobalt being one of them. Characteristic of heavy metals is the tendency to accumulate in a number of body tissues. High levels can lead to signs of toxicity. Cobalt intoxication has been reported in humans, and lead poisoning is recognised in many species.
When a horse or dog is exposed to a continued low level of cobalt levels in the blood plasma and red cells rises. Most of the cobalt in blood is bound to plasma protein, and ultimately is incorporated into the red blood cells, where it remains for the life of the cell – around 120 days. This may account for 90% of the cobalt in blood, and is NOT measured in urine tests.
Urine testing simply measures the free ionised cobalt “spilling over” into the urine. Urine testing measures what “was” in the animal” not what “is” in the animal.
Indeed, such simple factors as water intake and concentration of the urine can have a profound effect on urine cobalt levels. As a starting point it is essential to correct measured levels against urine creatinine or specific gravity.
The more appropriate test is that adopted.
2. Cobalt is not performance- enhancing
Interest in illicit cobalt use as a performance-enhancer in racing horses and dogs can be traced back to some speculative articles in the lay press from the sport of Cycling. It was proposed that cobalt in humans might stimulate erythropoietin (EPO), and lead to increased red cell production. This speculation comes from discussions in the scientific literature dating back to the 1940’s and even 1930’s, which referred to laboratory studies on rabbit and rat red blood cells.
Such studies as have been done in horses have failed to support this proposal, showing No increase in red cells and NO increase in haemopoietin, even after very large doses of cobalt.
Given the120 day life span of red blood cells any such effect would require dosing months before racing, and raceday urine testing would be irrelevant. Furthermore, given the massive reserves of red blood cells stored in the spleen it is highly questionable whether increasing the count would make the horse run faster or slower.
3. Uncontrolled Population Studies are Flawed
The horse urine level was set on the basis of statistical analysis of an uncontrolled population study. Without reliable knowledge of the total cobalt exposure of each individual in the study, the “normal” range cannot be defined. I understand a parallel approach has been adopted for Greyhound Racing. Total exposure includes “native” cobalt in the feed, water and environment, as well as legitimate vitamin and mineral supplements, in addition to any illicit administration.
4. Greyhound Racing does not need to invent a new “scandal”.
Having previously stated my disinterest I can only observe that Greyhound Racing in New South Wales is struggling to improve its reputation in the public eye. In my opinion Horse Racing has suffered a severe loss of reputation in recent years, and many trainers have been unfairly disadvantaged, on the basis of flawed and inadequate science. I would urge the Grey hound industry NOT to follow that path.
Association of Racing Commissioners
International. Cobalt in blood plasma is measured, and sanctions applied when the level exceeds 25ppm.
2. Cobalt is not performance- enhancing
Interest in illicit cobalt use as a performance-enhancer in racing horses and dogs can be traced back to some speculative articles in the lay press from the sport of Cycling. It was proposed that cobalt in humans might stimulate erythropoietin (EPO), and lead to increased red cell production. This speculation comes from discussions in the scientific literature dating back to the 1940’s and even 1930’s, which referred to laboratory studies on rabbit and rat red blood cells.
Such studies as have been done in horses have failed to support this proposal, showing No increase in red cells and NO increase in haemopoietin, even after very large doses of cobalt.
Given the120 day life span of red blood cells any such effect would require dosing months before racing, and raceday urine testing would be irrelevant. Furthermore, given the massive reserves of red blood cells stored in the spleen it is highly questionable whether increasing the count would make the horse run faster or slower.
3. Uncontrolled Population Studies are Flawed
The horse urine level was set on the basis of statistical analysis of an uncontrolled population study. Without reliable knowledge of the total cobalt exposure of each individual in the study, the “normal” range cannot be defined. I understand a parallel approach has been adopted for Greyhound Racing. Total exposure includes “native” cobalt in the feed, water and environment, as well as legitimate vitamin and mineral supplements, in addition to any illicit administration.
4. Greyhound Racing does not need to invent a new “scandal”.
Having previously stated my disinterest I can only observe that Greyhound Racing in New South Wales is struggling to improve its reputation in the public eye. In my opinion Horse Racing has suffered a severe loss of reputation in recent years, and many trainers have been unfairly disadvantaged, on the basis of flawed and inadequate science. I would urge the Greyhound industry NOT to follow that path.
Copied from a Facebook post by National Greyhound Racing United
