Development of a method which discriminates between endogenous and exogenous beta-boldenone

Anal Chim Acta. 2007 Mar 14;586(1-2):147-53. doi: 10.1016/j.aca.2006.08.009. Epub 2006 Aug 14.

Abstract

One potential explanation for the presence of beta-boldenone in calf urine is contamination of the sample with feces containing beta-boldenone. It has been demonstrated that after oral and intramuscular administration of beta-boldenone esters, several metabolites are formed and excreted in urine. One of the (minor) metabolites is 6beta-hydroxy-17alpha-boldenone. This paper describes an analytical method that can discriminate between unconjugated boldenone, its glucuronide- and sulphate-conjugates, 6beta-hydroxy-17alpha/beta-boldenone and coprostanol, a marker for fecal contamination. The method was applied to all samples suspected to contain boldenone within the Dutch National Residue Control Plan. Approximately 10,000 samples of urine were screened (LC-MS) in 2004-2005 by VWA-East, one of the official Dutch control laboratories, from which 261 samples were suspected to contain boldenone. These samples were all analyzed for their conjugation state, 6beta-hydroxy-17alpha/beta-boldenone and for the presence of coprostanol. Alfa-boldenone, the major metabolite in bovine urine after boldenone-ester administration, was found in a large number of these samples. The presence of alpha-boldenone was proven also to be a result of fecal contamination. None of the samples tested contained residues of the metabolite 6beta-hydroxy-17alpha/beta-boldenone. Not finding this metabolite indicates that the origin of alpha-boldenone-conjugates is endogenous. The results confirm that the presence of unconjugated beta-boldenone and alpha-boldenone conjugates next to alpha-boldenone are no indicators for illegal administration of boldenone-esters. No indications were obtained that conjugated beta-boldenone can be of endogenous origin.

MeSH terms

  • Anabolic Agents / analysis*
  • Anabolic Agents / urine*
  • Animals
  • Cattle
  • Chemistry Techniques, Analytical
  • Cholestanol / urine
  • Chromatography, Gas / methods
  • Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid / methods
  • Chromatography, Liquid / methods
  • Feces
  • Glucuronides / analysis
  • Mass Spectrometry / methods
  • Netherlands
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Testosterone / analogs & derivatives*
  • Testosterone / analysis
  • Testosterone / chemistry
  • Testosterone / urine
  • Urinalysis / methods*

Substances

  • Anabolic Agents
  • Glucuronides
  • Testosterone
  • boldenone
  • Cholestanol