LC-MS Analysis of Natural Androgens in Human Samples

Another reality that anti-doping scientists must face is that some athletes accused of using banned anabolic steroids offer explanations such as the inadvertent consumption of various alleged sources of the substances. To assess the theory that uncastrated boar meat consumption can result in an adverse finding in a doping control urine test, Le Bizec et al. (2000) tested volunteers and detected 19-norandrosterone and 19-noretiocholanolone for about 24 h after intake. The same team identified and quantitated the boar meat 19-norsteroids responsible for this finding (De Wasch et al., 2001). 

Watching the world become awash in steroid sex hormones, abused in animals and humans, Lopez de Alda et al. (2003) felt the need to review LC-MS and LC-MS-MS methods for the determination of these and other analytes in the aquatic environment. 

In the only publication on the LC-MS analysis of synthetic steroids or animal samples that is unrelated to any steroid misuse, Magnusson and Sandstrom (2004) reported on a quantitative analysis of eight T metabolites in rat intestine mucosa. 

In anticipation of potential studies involving endogenous steroids, including neurosteroids, or exogenous steroids, or metabolites, Ma and Kim (1997) reported results obtained by LC-MS analysis by APCI or ESI of 29 steroid standards. Twelve of those had an androstane nucleus. They were either 3-one-4-enes or unconjugated ketones or they had only hydroxyl groups. The use of different LC mobile phases for each ionization mode helped to optimize the sensitivity. 

29 steroids (12 androstane-type), 3-one,4-enes, unconjugated ketones, hydroxyls only 

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