Detection of testosterone administration based on the carbon isotope ratio profiling of endogenous steroids: international reference populations of professional soccer players

Detection of testosterone administration based on the carbon isotope ratio profiling of endogenous steroids : international reference populations of professional soccer players / E. Strahm, C. Emery, M. Saugy, J. Dvorak, C. Saudan. - (International Journal of Sports Medicine 25 (2004) 13 (December); p. 528-543)

  • PMID: 19549614
  • PMCID: PMC2784500
  • DOI: 10.1136/bjsm.2009.058669


Abstract

Background and objectives: The determination of the carbon isotope ratio in androgen metabolites has been previously shown to be a reliable, direct method to detect testosterone misuse in the context of antidoping testing. Here, the variability in the 13C/12C ratios in urinary steroids in a widely heterogeneous cohort of professional soccer players residing in different countries (Argentina, Italy, Japan, South Africa, Switzerland and Uganda) is examined.

Methods: Carbon isotope ratios of selected androgens in urine specimens were determined using gas chromatography/combustion/isotope ratio mass spectrometry (GC-C-IRMS).

Results: Urinary steroids in Italian and Swiss populations were found to be enriched in 13C relative to other groups, reflecting higher consumption of C3 plants in these two countries. Importantly, detection criteria based on the difference in the carbon isotope ratio of androsterone and pregnanediol for each population were found to be well below the established threshold value for positive cases.

Conclusions: The results obtained with the tested diet groups highlight the importance of adapting the criteria if one wishes to increase the sensitivity of exogenous testosterone detection. In addition, confirmatory tests might be rendered more efficient by combining isotope ratio mass spectrometry with refined interpretation criteria for positivity and subject-based profiling of steroids.

Original document

Parameters

Science
Research / Study
Date
22 June 2009
People
Dvorak, Jiri
Emery, Caroline
Saudan, Christophe
Saugy, Martial
Strahm, Emmanuel
Country
Switzerland
Language
English
Laboratories
Lausanne, Switzerland: Laboratoire Suisse d’Analyse du Dopage
Analytical aspects
Mass spectrometry analysis
Testing method development
Doping classes
S1. Anabolic Agents
Substances
Testosterone
Document category
Scientific article
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Pdf file
Date generated
10 March 2021
Date of last modification
12 March 2021
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  • Doping classes
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