Oestradiol

Oestradiol is a female sex hormone and one of the major oestrogens, a steroid that regulates reproductive physiology in mammals. It occurs naturally at varying levels in a range of foods of animal origin, including meat, milk, and eggs. In livestock production, implants containing oestradiol-based growth promoters have been used to improve growth performance and carcass characteristics such as leanness. Because residues of synthetic oestradiol in meat raise consumer safety concerns, its sale in meat is prohibited in some countries, notably across the European Union, where hormone-treated beef imports are also restricted. Residue monitoring programmes test tissues to verify compliance with these bans.