Detection of urinary metabolites common to structurally related 17alpha-alkyl anabolic steroids in horses and application to doping tests in racehorses: methandienone, methandriol, and oxymetholone.

This research explored the common metabolites found in horse urine associated with the administration of certain steroids—methandienone, methandriol, and oxymetholone. The findings offer improved detection methods for horse doping, allowing for more precise identification of specific steroid use.

Research Goals

• The researchers were primarily interested in determining if anabolic steroids methandienone, methandriol, and oxymetholone have common metabolites in horse urine.
• They sought to extend the knowledge on previous reports that anabolic steroids with specific groups (17alpha-methyl and 17beta-hydroxy) have common metabolites in humans.
• The project also aimed at detecting unknown urinary metabolites in horses administered with methandriol and oxymetholone.
• The ultimate goal was to offer improved methods for identifying specific steroid use in doping tests for racehorses.

Key Findings

• The researchers confirmed that the anabolic steroids, namely 17alpha-methyltestosterone, mestanolone, oxymetholone, methandienone, and methandriol, have common metabolites. These findings are consistent with previous human studies.
• Previously unidentified urinary metabolites from the administration of methandriol and oxymetholone in horses were found during the study.
• Methandriol itself, besides the metabolites it shares with 17alpha-methyltestosterone and mestanolone, was detected in horse urine as a parent steroid.
• The main metabolite for oxymetholone was found to be mestanolone, along with other metabolites presumed to be stereoisomers of specific diols.

Implications

• These findings improve the ability to identify and distinguish between the intake of various anabolic steroids in racehorses.
• Using the simultaneous detection protocol of common metabolites and other significant metabolites could help testing agencies to conclude which steroid has possibly been administered during doping attempts in racehorses.
• This research could enhance the regulatory and ethical oversight aimed at keeping racing sports free from unethical and potentially harmful doping practices.