Screening of steroids in horse urine and plasma by using electron impact and chemical ionization gas chromatography-mass spectrometry.

The research article discusses the use of gas chromatography with chemical ionization mass spectrometry to precisely detect and confirm steroids in horse urine and plasma. The empirical results suggest this method is more sensitive than electron impact ionization mass spectrometry, with the exception of certain specific steroids.

Methodology

• The study uses a technique of gas chromatography with chemical ionization mass spectrometry and selected-ion monitoring. This method serves to screen and validate the presence of steroids in horse urine and plasma accurately.
• Chemical ionization mass spectrometry has been found to be a more sensitive approach than using electron impact ionization mass spectrometry when detecting most of the steroids.
• Only in the case of testosterone, prednisone-metabolite-2, and prednisolone-metabolite-2 was electron impact ionization mass spectrometry deemed to be more sensitive.

Chromatographic Conditions

• The study establishes certain chromatographic conditions that enabled a clear distinction between different types and forms of steroids, both natural and synthetic.

Procedure And Results

• The extraction procedure employed in this study was successful in reclaiming around 75-85% of the steroids that were introduced to the plasma and 65-70% of those added to the urine.
• The high rate of recovery endorses the effectiveness of the extraction process used, highlighting its applicability in detecting steroids with high sensitivity and specificity.

Conclusion

• The researchers conclude that the application of gas chromatography with chemical ionization mass spectrometry is an efficient technique for vetting and confirming steroids in horse urine and plasma, particularly compared to the use of electron impact ionization mass spectrometry.
• This technique, aided by the precise extraction procedure, ultimately advances the potential for more accurate and sensitive screening of steroids in horses, highlighting an improvement on current methods.