Trenbolone acetate (TBA, androst-I,9(10), 11-trien-3-one, 17 acetate) is a synthetic anabolic steroid with androgenic activity (Neumann,
1976). It has been used in a number of countries as a growth promoter in ruminants.

 Uses

In the livestock industry, trenbolone acetate is more often called Finaplix. It was intentionally developed to promote androgen and gain muscle mass in cattle. Due to its properties, this allows livestock to grow as much muscle possible before they are transported to a slaughterhouse.

 A single dosage generally consists of 10 pellets, and a package of Finaplix usually consists of one cartridge, which contains 100 pellets . This is usually given to the animal by means of a subcutaneous injection into the posterior location of the earwith the use of an implanter gun. Finaplix is consistently implanted until the animal is ready to be slaughtered. There is no withholding period. Due to the common practice of trenbolone acetate use in veterinary medicine, it is quite common to find traces of trenbolone metabolites in cattle worldwide.

Preparations

Trenbolone acetate (Finajet 30)was obtained from Hoechst, UK made up in arachis oil. Grade II bovine serum albumin (BSA), human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) and porcine folliclestimulating hormone (FSH) were obtained from Sigma Chemical Company Ltd (Dorset, UK).One unit (u) of FSH, equivalent to 1 mg Armour standard 264-151-X, has a potency of 9,8 i.u.2nd IRP HMG in the Steelman & Pohley (1953)
bioassay. BSA/saline was prepared as a 1070 (w/v) solution in 0,9% (w/v) NaCI. Both hCG and FSH were prepared in BSA/saline and stored at - 20 DC. Testosterone phenyl propionate (TPP, Androjet) was obtained from Intervet Ltd, UK and made up in arachis oil.

Side effects

Side effects of trenbolone acetate include symptoms of masculinization like acne, increased hair growth, voice changes, and increased sexual desire.The drug is a synthetic androgen and anabolic steroid and hence is an agonist of the androgen receptor (AR), the biological target of androgens like testosterone and dihydrotestosterone (DHT).It has strong anabolic effects and highly androgenic effects, as well as potent progestogenic effects, and weak glucocorticoid effects.