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Screening of testosterone esters in human plasma
G Forsdahl1, H K Vatne, T Geisendorfer
1Doping Control Laboratory, Seibersdorf Labor GmbH, Seibersdorf, Austria; Department of Pharmacy, University of Tromsø, Tromsø, Norway.
Drug Testing and Analysis
|October 15, 2013
Summary
Detecting intact testosterone esters in plasma provides proof of exogenous testosterone administration. A new sensitive method using oxime derivatives and LC-MS/MS enhances detection for anti-doping efforts.
Area of Science:
- Analytical Chemistry
- Biochemistry
- Forensic Science
Background:
- Detecting exogenous testosterone administration is crucial for anti-doping.
- Intact testosterone esters in plasma are key biomarkers.
- Existing methods may lack sensitivity or specificity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a sensitive screening method for nine testosterone esters in human plasma.
- To enhance assay sensitivity through derivatization.
- To validate the method according to World Anti-Doping Agency guidelines.
Main Methods:
- Preparation of oxime derivatives of intact testosterone esters.
- Liquid-liquid extraction (LLE) for sample clean-up.
- Online separation coupled with liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) analysis.
Main Results:
- A sensitive screening method for nine testosterone esters was successfully developed.
- Oxime derivatization significantly increased assay sensitivity.
- The method demonstrated simplicity, rapidity, and robustness.
Conclusions:
- The developed LC-MS/MS method provides unequivocal proof of exogenous testosterone administration.
- This method is suitable for routine anti-doping analysis.
- It meets the stringent validation requirements of the World Anti-Doping Agency.
