RAPPORT ANNUEL SUR LES SUBSTANCES PROHIBEES 2003 ANNUAL REVIEW ON PROHIBITED SUBSTANCES Dr Helena NICOLAS-FREY The Annual report on Doping Control for the year 2003 is based on the answers received from 47 countries (as usual, certain countries have provided answers corresponding to the 2003/2004 racing season). This Report comprises of 11 chapters and it is presented according to the plan adopted in previous years. RACING SAMPLES 225 611 horses were sampled, including 29 023 before racing (pre-race) for a total of 129 731 flat and jumping races. In some countries, this control is currently limited to the most important races of their racing program. In other countries, tests are systematically performed after each race on one or more horses by race. The average number of horses tested by race amounted to 1.74. Testing was carried out on 160 260 urine samples, 54 384 blood samples and on 10 967 samples of urine and blood collected simultaneously. The analyses of the urine and blood samples, has led to 503 positive results, i.e. 0.22% of the total tests carried out. 416 positive cases were detected in the urine samples (83%) and 87 cases were detected in blood (17%). 13 positive cases contained two different prohibited substances and 3 cases contained three substances. TRAINING SAMPLES One of the objectives of tests carried out in training is to verify that the substances that are totally prohibited in a racehorse are not used at any time and that administered treatments are justified by a medical prescription. Thanks to the information received we can note that this control was carried out in 11 countries (Germany, Australia, Korea, France, Great Britain, Hong Kong, India, Ireland, Italy, Macau, Tunisia). It should be noted that in India, such tests at training aim more specifically at detecting the presence of anabolic steroids and sex hormones. During the year 2003, 2 444 horses were sampled (1 216 urine, 328 urine and blood and 900 blood). 53 positive cases were declared including two cases based on samples containing two different substances. PENALTIES We noted that the disqualification of the horse involved in the positive case was systematic in 41 countries but not in the United Arab Emirates. Denmark, Mexico, Norway, the Sultanate of Oman and the Netherlands did not answer this question. - 2 - PROHIBITED SUBSTANCES DETECTED IN RACING AND IN TRAINING [ Among the 82 different detected substances, ten were announced for the first time in flat and jumping racing: – CHLORPHENAMINE H1 antihistaminic, sedative, atropinic, recommended in particular in (Chlorpheniramine) respiratory affections, found in Australia and Malaysia. – DIMEFLINE respiratory stimulant, found in Cyprus. – FLAVOXATE musculotropic antispasmodic, recommended in genitourinary affections, (Fluvoxate) found in Turkey. – IRBESARTAN antihypertensor, found in Australia. (ex. AprovelÒ) – MEBEVERINE musculotropic antispasmodic recommended in affections of the digestive system and metabolism, found in Turkey. – METHOTREXATE antineoplasic and immunomodulator, found in Canada. – SILDENAFIL vasodilator, found in Malaysia. Ò (ex. Viagra ) – TENOXICAM nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory, found in France. – VALERINIC ACID one of the components of the Valerian, a medicinal plant which is considered as having spasmolytic and muscle relaxant effects as well as depressor effects on the central nervous system, found in Australia and France. – VEDAPROFEN non steroidal anti-inflammatory, found in the United Kingdom. Some of these substances were already detected in other equestrian events, in particular Vedaprofen in 2001 in Trotting races. [ The 82 different prohibited substances reported were found 570 times (515 in races and 55 in training). Among them detections (383, i.e. 67,2%) corresponded to fifteen substances only or their metabolites: [ Caffeine 92 [ Diclofenac 15 [ Phenylbutazone 57 [ Ketoprofen 13 [ Flunixine 50 [ Ranitidine 13 [ Testosterone 25 [ Acepromazine 12 [ Clenbuterol 24 [ Desmethylpyrilamine 11 [ Carbon dioxide TCO2 18 [ Boldenone 10 [ Pemoline 17 [ Clanobutin 10 [ Lidocaine 16 Frequent detection of caffeine and in particular in 17 different countries can result from administered treatments, but also very often from food contamination - 3 - In Races: The breakdown by categories of the 81 prohibited substances detected in racing samples, is slightly different from that of last year. One observes an increase of the cardiovascular stimulants and of substances acting on the digestive system: 20 substances anti-inflammatory drugs, antipyretic and analgesics (177 detections) represent 34,3%. Six anti-inflammatory steroids (corticoids) were detected 31 times. 4 substances: cardiovascular stimulants (97) represent 18,8%. 23 substances acting on the nervous system (97) represent 18,8%: three tranquilizers (22), eight stimulants (39), three local anesthetics (22), three antihistaminics (14). 9 substances: respiratory stimulants (38) represent 7,4% of detections. 4 substances acting on the digestive system (36) represent 7% of detections. 5 substances: anabolic steroids and hormones (33) represent 6,4% of detections. As for the 13 remaining substances that were detected 37 times (7,2%) they can be classified as follows: 2 muscle relaxant - 14 detections 6 diuretics - 12 detections 2 substances acting on the blood system - 8 detections 2 substances acting on the immune system - 2 detections 1 antibacterial (not prohibited) - 1 detection [ In Training: 16 different substances were reported 55 times, they can be classified as follows: 5 anabolic steroids and hormones - 26 detections 6 anti-inflammatory drugs including two glucocorticoids - 20 detections 3 respiratory stimulants - 7 detections 2 tranquillizers - 2 detections NATIONAL THRESHOLDS The questionnaire related to national thresholds for other substances than those listed in Article 6 of the International Agreement. We noted that: Australia has a threshold for carbon dioxide (plasma TCO2 concentration equal to 36 mmol/L), Brazil authorizes administration of 0,5 mg/kg of Furosemide 4 h. before a race, and has a threshold of 60 ng/mL in serum, Canada has a threshold for Procaine of 25 ng/mL in plasma. As for Furosemide, the threshold is 85 ng/mL in serum. Concerning carbon dioxide, plasma TC02 concentration is 39 mmol/L (relating only to the Program "pulmonary haemorrhage of effort" or EIPH). - 4 - B SAMPLE ANALYSIS The B-sample analysis corresponds to the analysis of the second fraction of the same biological sample, the first part of which was found positive. It is carried out systematically in 23 countries even if the trainer is not asking for it. The trainer involved is not informed of the result of analysis of the A-sample before the B-sample analysis in 7 countries: France, Greece, Japan, Lebanon, Sultanate of Oman, Netherlands and Turkey. In France, information is transmitted to the Trainers’ Association, in the form of a coded number, which does not make it possible to establish a link with the trainer in question. The trainer must pay the analysis of the B-sample in 29 countries, including in 10 countries where it is carried out systematically. In addition, in 20 countries the trainer must pay the fees of the expert designated by him to witness the analysis. In 29 countries, the trainer can choose the laboratory in charge of carrying out the analysis of the B-sample; the choice of laboratories is limited in Belgium, in the United Arab Emirates and Kenya; India did not answer this question. It should be noted that in Belgium, at the time of sampling, the trainer indicates in advance on the Sampling Report, if he wishes the analysis of the 2nd part of the sample to be carried out and he must choose the name of the laboratory that will carry out the second test on a list of approved laboratories which is published at the beginning of each year. In France, the designation of the laboratory falls within the competence of the Trainers’ Association. LABORATORIES According to the answers received, 30 countries have their routine samples tested in their own laboratories, 16 countries call upon foreign laboratories. The number of samples to test in eight of these countries is less than 100, which appears too small to justify the creation of a national laboratory exclusively dedicated to this task. The foreign laboratories mentioned are those of Germany, of the United Arab Emirates, of France, of Great Britain and Sweden. ö ö ö Two lists are appended to hist document; they have been prepared with a view to facilitating exchanges on veterinary and analytical problems: [ INTERNATIONAL LIST OF OFFICIAL VETERINARIANS [ LIST OF THE LABORATORIES ANALYSING SAMPLES ROUTINELY FOR FLAT OR JUMP RACING. Concerning the list of laboratories, we note that since 2001, three laboratories (Korea, Poland and Thailand) have been accredited. The laboratories of Mauritius, of Mexico, of New Zealand and Turkey are in the process of accreditation. Other laboratories, mostly for financial reasons, are not accredited, but carry out inter laboratories tests with satisfactory results. - 5 - Le Rapport Annuel sur le Contrôle Antidopage pour l’année 2003 a été élaboré à partir des réponses reçues de 47 pays. Certains pays répondent comme d’habitude pour la saison des courses couvrant deux années (2003/2004). Ce Rapport comporte 11 chapitres et il est présenté selon le schéma retenu les années précédentes. PRELEVEMENTS EN COURSES 225 611 chevaux ont été soumis aux prélèvements biologiques, dont 29 023 avant les courses (pre-race) pour 129 731 courses organisées en plat et en obstacle. Dans certains pays, on contrôle essentiellement les courses les plus importantes du programme. Dans d’autres, chaque course d’une réunion, avec un ou plusieurs chevaux par course, est contrôlée systématiquement. Le nombre moyen de chevaux prélevé par course s’élève à 1,74. Les analyses des 160 260 prélèvements d’urine, 54 384 prélèvements de sang et de 10 967 prélèvements des deux milieux biologiques récoltés simultanément ont permis de déclarer 503 cas positifs, soit 0,22 % des analyses. 416 cas positifs ont été détectés dans les urines (83 %), et 87 cas dans le sang (17 %).