Investigations into the feasibility of routine ultra high performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry analysis of equine hair samples for detecting the misuse of anabolic steroids, anabolic steroid esters and related compounds

Detection of prohibited substances in equine hair by ultra‐high performance liquid chromatography–triple quadrupole mass spectrometry – application to doping control samples

“…19 However, several modifications were made in order to improve method performance and to ensure coverage of a wider range of compounds. 19 However, several modifications were made in order to improve method performance and to ensure coverage of a wider range of compounds.…”

“…19 However, due to the significant increase in the range of compounds included in the method, additional optimisation was required in order to obtain satisfactory peak shape for all analytes. 19 However, due to the significant increase in the range of compounds included in the method, additional optimisation was required in order to obtain satisfactory peak shape for all analytes.…”

“…In 2012, Gray et al discussed the use of hair as an alternative matrix for doping control 17 and also provided a comparison between the detection of anabolic steroids in hair, plasma, and urine. 19 Most recently a method for the detection of anabolic steroids and their esters in horse hair using high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS) has been published. 19 Most recently a method for the detection of anabolic steroids and their esters in horse hair using high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS) has been published.…”

“…The removal of lipophilic compounds from the outside of the hair surface also assists in minimising the potential for a presumptive positive screening result to be as a result of deposition of analyte on the outside of the hair rather than internal incorporation of analyte via the blood stream.The use of a surfactant-based wash procedure is in line with the approach adopted by selected other laboratories undertaking equine hair analysis, (pers. Previously we have reported the use of 0.1 M phosphate buffer as a suitable incubation solution for the detection of anabolic steroid esters in equine hair 19. with Laboratoire des Courses Hippiques (France), Racing Analytical Services (Australia) and Kwok et al)20 resulting in a more harmonised approach to equine hair testing.When drugs are internally incorporated into the growing hair shaft, either directly via the bloodstream or indirectly via their excretion in sweat and sebum, they can be challenging to extract from the sample matrix.…”

Doping, Applications of Hair Analysis

“…The list of prohibited compounds relevant for greyhounds or equines is much longer to prevent medical treatment during competition. The most potent applications of hair in racing anti-doping analysis is therefore devoted to the identification of anabolic agents, in particular clenbuterol, anabolic steroids, and corresponding esters [11,36,37]. The most relevant class 1 includes stimulants and depressant drugs that have the highest potential to affect performance and scheduled drugs (opiates, synthetic opioids, psychoactive drugs, amphetamines, and amphetamine-like drugs).…”