Targeting testosterone misuse in dried blood spots in male and female populations

Code: 23A15GG

Dried blood spot (DBS) applications get increasing attention in the field of anti-doping as indicated by the increasing number of scientific publications. The current comprehensive study is designed to investigate capabilities of DBS as complementary matrix to detect testosterone doping after oral, intramuscular and transdermal administration of testosterone undecanoate (TU) and/or testosterone gel in female and male populations. Analytical targets in DBS are consequently testosterone undecanoate itself as well as a panel of endogenous steroids, including testosterone, androstenedione and 5α-dihydrotestosterone. A sensitive, robust and already validated liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (LC-MS) methods will be applied, including derivatization with Girard P and hydroxylamine to significantly improve sensitivity and limits of detection. The results obtained are anticipated to provide a more detailed insight into the window of detection for TU and changes in endogenous steroid concentrations to uncover testosterone doping. The correlation between factors such as route of administration, gender and inter-individual variability as well as the detection of the TU as prodrug and endogenous steroid concentration changes will be established. The results of this study may provide important evidence for its suitability to be used for the steroid blood passport based on DBS as matrix.