Mass spectrometric detection of and similarities between 1-androgens

• Published in: Analytica chimica acta 2007-03, Vol.586 (1-2), p.57-72
• Main Authors: Verheyden, K., Le Bizec, B., Courtheyn, D., Mortier, V., Vandewiele, M., Gillis, W., Vanthemsche, P., De Brabander, H.F., Noppe, H.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: 1-Androstenediol; 1-Testosterone; Administration, Oral; Anabolic Agents - analysis; Analytical chemistry; Androgens - analysis; Androstenediol - analysis; Chemistry; Chromatographic methods and physical methods associated with chromatography; Chromatography, Gas - methods; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid - methods; Chromatography, Liquid - methods; Doping in Sports; Exact sciences and technology; Gas chromatographic methods; Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry; Mass Spectrometry - methods; Models, Chemical; Multiple mass spectrometry; Other chromatographic methods; Spectrometric and optical methods; Steroids - analysis; Substance Abuse Detection - methods; Testosterone - analogs & derivatives; Testosterone - analysis; Testosterone - chemistry; Weight Lifting
• ISSN: 0003-2670; 1873-4324
• DOI: 10.1016/j.aca.2006.10.058

Regularly new anabolic steroids appear on the black market. In most cases these substances are marketed on websites or are confiscated during inspections. 1,(5α)-Androstene-17β-ol-3-one, also known as 1-testosterone, is one of these substances presented to body-builders as a nutritional supplement or a pro-hormone. 1-Testosterone closely resembles the natural hormone testosterone except for a 1,2-double bound instead of a 4,5-double bound. 1-Androstene-3β,17β-diol is transformed into 1-testosterone after oral administration. 1-Testosterone, 1-androstene-3β,17β-diol and some other related ‘new’ anabolic steroids were studied with gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GC–MS) and Liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS2) methods. Similarities in spectra to known analytes, which may lead to pitfalls in the interpretation of the derivatised analytes, are discussed.