Uptake of 17β-trenbolone and subsequent metabolite trendione by the pinto bean plant (Phaseolus vulgaris)

Manure from livestock feeding operations is commonly applied to agricultural fields as an alternative to commercial fertilizers. Trenbolone acetate (TbA) is a synthetic growth promoter frequently utilized in beef cattle feeding operations. Metabolites of TbA can be present in manure and subsequently applied to fields. Fate ofTbA metabolites 17β-trenbolone (17βTb), 17α-trenbolone (17αTb), and trendione (TbO) have been assessed in manure and soils, but plant uptake in agricultural fields is not fully understood. The objective of this study was to investigate potential plant uptake and biotransformation of 17βTb using the pinto bean plant (Phaseolus vulgaris). Vegetated (n=20) and control sands (n=16) were amended with 17βTb at a level of 1μg/g once per week for a total of four weeks. Sand, above-ground plant portion and below-ground plant portion were collected each week and then analyzed for 17βTb, 17αTb, and TbO. By week four, low concentrations of 17βTb (10±4.9μg/g fresh weight) were taken up into the roots of plants and, to a much lesser extent, translocated throughout the plant (0.04±0.02μg/g fresh weight). Extensive transformation of 17βTb to the metabolite trendione (TbO) occurred in vegetated sand, while minimal TbO was detected in control sand. These results suggest the biotransformation of 17βTb to TbO is predominantly through microbial degradation. Trenbolone (Tb) metabolites can then be taken up into plants but remain concentrated in the roots with only slight translocation to above ground portions of the plant. After four weeks, maximum observed concentrations of total Tb (parent+metabolites) in fresh plant tissues were 33.0μg/g in roots and 0.25μg/g in leaves. No phytotoxicity was observed to pinto bean plants throughout the four week study. ► Uptake and biotransformation of the trenbolone acetate metabolite 17β-trenbolone was examined in the pinto bean. ► Biodegradation of 17β-trenbolone to trendione, which is a less potent androgen, was extensive in vegetated sands. ► Bioconcentration was observed primarily in roots, only small concentrations translocated to stem and leaves. ► Presents unpublished data on the environmental fate of veterinary steroids.