Studies related to the metabolism of anabolic steroids in the horse: the identification of some 16-oxygenated metabolites of testosterone and a study of the phase II metabolism.

The research article is about how horses metabolize testosterone, an anabolic steroid, and the identification of different 16-oxygenated metabolites produced during this process.

Overview of the Research

The study primarily focusses on the identification of particular isomers of 3,17-dihydroxyandrostan-16-one, 3,16-dihydroxyandrostan-17-one, and androstane-3,16,17-triol, which were identified as urinary metabolites of testosterone in horses. These metabolites were obtained following a process of hydrolysis of the conjugates, which were separated from the urine samples using XAD-2 extraction and Sephadex LH-20 chromatography.

Methodology & Findings

• The research employed gas-liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry for investigating these urinary metabolites of testosterone.
• The metabolites namely, testosterone, 3,17-dihydroxyandrostan-16-one and 3,16-dihydroxyandrostan-17-one, were found only within the sulfate fraction.
• Other metabolites including 5 alpha-Androstane-3 beta,17 beta-diol, and two isomeric androstane triols majorly fell under this fraction, and 5 alpha-androstane-3 beta,17 alpha-diol was identified as a minor component.
• Within the glucuronide fraction, 5 alpha-androstane-3 beta,17 alpha-diol emerged as the major metabolite present.
• In this fraction, 5 alpha-androstane-3 beta,17 beta-diol and the two isomeric triols were minor components.

Implication of the study

The findings of the study offer considerable insight into the metabolization of anabolic steroids in horses, primarily testosterone, and the resulting 16-oxygenated metabolites. These findings could be fundamental to future studies surrounding the use and effects of anabolic steroids in horses, their health, performance, and other related aspects. Understanding how these substances are metabolized in the body and the metabolites produced during the process could contribute to developing improved detection techniques for any misuse in equine sports.