Determination of the exogenous character of testosterone in bovine urine by gas chromatography-combustion-isotope ratio mass spectrometry

Analyst. 1998 Dec;123(12):2617-20. doi: 10.1039/a805215h.

Abstract

A new approach was developed in order to control testosterone abuse in animal production. A gas chromatographic-combustion-isotope ratio mass spectrometric (GC-C-IRMS) method was used to distinguish the exogenous character from the endogenous character of the main metabolites of testosterone (epitestosterone and etiocholanolone) in cattle urine. This method is based on a comparison between the carbon isotope ratio (13C/12C) of testosterone metabolites and those of testosterone endogenous precursors. After urinary steroid purification, extracts were acetylated with acetic anhydride and injected into the GC-C-IRMS system. In order to validate the method, testosterone enanthate was administered to a 4 year old cow. The 13C/12C isotope ratios of testosterone exogenous metabolites appeared to be significantly different to the 13C/12C precursor ratios and were detected until 3 weeks after the anabolic administration. These preliminary results appear to be promising for the difficult control of natural hormones in livestock.

MeSH terms

  • Anabolic Agents / urine*
  • Animals
  • Cattle / metabolism*
  • Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry
  • Testosterone / administration & dosage
  • Testosterone / analogs & derivatives
  • Testosterone / metabolism
  • Testosterone / urine*

Substances

  • Anabolic Agents
  • Testosterone
  • testosterone enanthate