https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/jms.1446
CONCLUSIONS
The results presented in this paper demonstrate the appli-
cability of hair analysis to detect anabolic steroids, but also
point to the limitations of the procedure.
Hair material is characterised by a quick sampling
procedure and uncomplicated conditions for transport and
storage. In particular, if samples are taken from horses these
practical conditions play an important role.
Another advantage is the investigation of the unchanged
parent compound, which is incorporated into hair following
an application. For example, after the injection of testosterone
propionate, only typical metabolites would be detectable
in urine. The identification of the intact ester in the hair
sample could substantiate the urine finding and would verify
the exogenous origin of the applied steroid. Thus, further
information could be obtained by testing hair material in
addition to doping control in urine.
Interpretation of hair analyses concerning the date of a
steroid application depends on certain issues. With regard
to the growth rate of hairs, periods without treatment can
be investigated, e.g. testing terms of abstinence. Due to
the incorporation of steroids via sweat and sebum, it is not
possible to verify an e xact application date and the beginning
of a repeated abuse, respectively.
Furthermore, the analysis of hair samples could enable
an extension of the detection period compared to urine. Even
though further investigations indicated a loss of steroids from
hair material with increasing time, detection was possible up
to several months.
Acknowledgements
This work was partially financed by the German Federal Ministry of
the Interior (IIA1-2506DL0001). The application study was carried
out by the University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Clinic
for Horses. The author thanks B. Zingrebe and Prof. E. Klug for
providing the hair samples.
mands