Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 28, 2026

Fecal Glucocorticoid Analysis: Non-invasive Adrenal Monitoring in Equids
Published on: April 25, 2016
Evaluation of urinary steroid profile in highly trained cyclists
1Department of Physical Education and Sport, Sport Sciences School, University of Extremadura, Cáceres, Spain. rtimon@unex.es
Aim:
A regular and intense physical exercise significantly modifies hormonal metabolism and there are many reports of a change in urine steroid levels accompanying the practice of sport. The aim of this study was to compare the urinary steroid profile between highly trained cyclists and untrained subjects.
Methods:
Urine levels of testosterone (T), epitestosterone (Epit), androstenedione, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), androsterone (A), etiocholanolone (E), beta-estradiol (E2), estrone (E1) and the most abundant urine metabolites of cortisol and cortisone, tetrahydrocortisone (THE) and tetrahydrocortisol (THF) were determined by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry in urine samples from a group of professional cyclists (n=15) submitted to maximum level training for several years and compared with urine samples from sedentary subjects (n=15). The relationships between T/Epit, A+E/ THE, A+E/ THF, DHEA/THE and DHEA/THF were also studied.
Results:
Cyclists showed lower urine levels of T, A, E and E2 and higher urine levels of androstenedione and E1 than sedentary individuals. A+E/THE and A+E/ THF ratios were higher in sedentary subjects than in cyclists.
Conclusion:
We conclude that cyclists showed a urinary steroid profile different from sedentary individuals, probably due to an adaptation to regular and intense physical training .
Related Concept Videos
Urine Studies I: Urinalysis
Urine Studies II: Urine Culture and Sensitivity Test
Physiology of the Genitourinary System III: Urine Concentration and Dilution
Physiology of Urine Formation
Glomerular Filtration
The first stage in urine formation is glomerular filtration. Each kidney contains approximately 1 million nephrons, the functional units of filtration, with a...
Serum Studies: Renal Function Tests
Drug Elimination by Renal Route: Tubular Secretion
