Animal studyindependent cross-checkabstract checked I-CHK-122 standard review
A steroid sold as a growth promoter made broilers grow less
Role of steroid growth promoter on growth performance and meat quality traits in broiler.
Overview
Islam R et al.. Poult Sci 2022 · PMID 35523031 · DOI 10.1016/j.psj.2022.101904
Dexamethasone reduced weight gain and feed efficiency in broilers.
Does the study support the specific claim? Partly · Methodological quality: low
Plain-language summary
Study explained simply
- What did the researchers want to find out?
Does dexamethasone, described as a commonly used growth promoter, improve broiler growth and meat quality?
- How was the study done?
Experimental feeding trial (4 groups x 20 chicks, 28 days)
- How many people, animals or samples were studied?
80 chicks
- What was actually found?
Dexamethasone substantially decreased (P < 0.05) feed intake, feed efficiency and overall weight gain; breast and thigh weight decreased; relative meat weight increased; residues detected by TLC at the high dose.
- How large was the observed effect?
Dexamethasone substantially decreased (P < 0.05) feed intake, feed efficiency and overall weight gain; breast and thigh weight decreased; relative meat weight increased; residues detected by TLC at the high dose.
- What do the results mean in everyday life?
Steroid 'boosters' do not make chickens grow faster; fast growth comes from breeding.
- What are the study's limitations?
Small; TLC residue method; Country of practice not stated in abstract
- What does it say about Elawady's specific claim?
Supports that hormones are not the cause of fast growth; notes possible misuse.
- Do the results apply to Germany and Europe?
Not authorised in the EU.
- What can explicitly not be concluded from this study?
Does not quantify use anywhere.
Scientific in-depth review
1. Full reference
- Authors
- Islam R et al.
- Journal
- Poult Sci
- Year
- 2022
- Identifier
- PMID 35523031 DOI 10.1016/j.psj.2022.101904
- Verification
- verified – PubMed efetch 2026-10-26; Crossref 2026-10-26
- Retracted
- no
- Corrections
- none
- Extent checked
- abstract only
- Conflicts of interest and funding
not stated in abstract
2. Research question
Does dexamethasone, described as a commonly used growth promoter, improve broiler growth and meat quality?
3. Study design and population
- Study design
- Animal study – Experimental feeding trial (4 groups x 20 chicks, 28 days)
- Population
Day-old broiler chicks
- Country
not stated in abstract (authors' affiliations not checked)
- Period
not stated
- Sample size
80 chicks
- Inclusion and exclusion criteria
as described in the abstract
4. Methods and endpoints
- Exposure / intervention
Dexamethasone 3, 5 or 7 mg/kg diet
- Comparator
Commercial feed without dexamethasone
- Endpoints
Feed intake, efficiency, weight gain, meat quality, residues
- Statistical methods
as reported in the abstract
5. Actual results
- Results
Dexamethasone substantially decreased (P < 0.05) feed intake, feed efficiency and overall weight gain; breast and thigh weight decreased; relative meat weight increased; residues detected by TLC at the high dose.
- Absolute risks
not reported
- Authors' conclusion
Dexamethasone reduces feed intake, feed efficiency and growth rate, with a potential residue risk at high dose.
6. Strengths
- Controlled experiment
7. Weaknesses
- Small; TLC residue method
- Country of practice not stated in abstract
8. Risk of bias
- Orienting tool
- none applicable
- Type of assessment
- simplified assessment (abstract only)
- Full formal assessment
- no
- Overall risk of bias
- some concerns
- Rationale
Small animal experiment.
9. Assessment of the statistical interpretation
A steroid called a 'growth promoter' actually reduced growth.
10. Relevance to the specific claim
Tests whether steroids make broilers grow faster.
11. Independent contrary findings
12. Transferability to Germany and Europe
13. Overall methodological judgement
Dexamethasone reduced weight gain and feed efficiency in broilers.
| Multidimensional assessment | |
|---|---|
| Authenticity of the source | verified |
| Methodological quality | low |
| Risk of bias | some concerns |
| Precision of results | low |
| Directness | indirect |
| Reproducibility | not replicated |
| Consistency with the overall evidence | consistent |
| Regional transferability | low |
| Adequacy of the interpretation (by the archive) | not applicable |
14. Open questions
15. Linked fact checks
- Broiler chickens are not injected with hormones; the common belief about 'hormonised chicken' is wrong - the real issue is antibiotics in feed. – Studies with mixed or unclear results