Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry of some anabolic steroids

In this paper a procedure is described for the analysis of 36 anabolic steroids, regularly found in kidney fat matrixes. After preparative HPLC is carried out, six fractions, containing the different steroids, were obtained. These fractions were then separated and on-line mass-analyzed, using APcI LC/MS. When used in tandem mass spectrometry (MRM) mode, it is possible to obtain detection limits below 1 ppb for all steroids and below 0.1 ppb for most of them. As such, it is possible to meet the regulations for detection of these anabolic steroids. To verify the influence of matrixes, real-world samples were analyzed in the same manner. This resulted in almost analog detection limits.