Analysis of corticosteroids in equine urine by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry

A liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) method for the analysis of corticosteroids in equine urine was developed. Corticosteroid conjugates were hydrolysed with beta-glucuronidase; free and enzyme-released corticosteroids were then extracted from the samples with ethyl acetate followed by a base wash. The isolated corticosteroids were detected by LC-MS and confirmed by LC-MS-MS in the positive atmospheric pressure chemical ionisation mode. Twenty-three corticosteroids (comprising hydrocortisone, deoxycorticosterone and 21 synthetic corticosteroids), each at 5 ng/ml in urine, could easily be analysed in 10 min.