INTRAMUSCULAR ADMINISTRATION OF 5-ALPHA-DIHYDROTESTOSTERONE HEPTANOATE - CHANGES IN URINARY HORMONE PROFILE

A recommended confirmatory procedure for detecting 5 alpha-dihydrotest osterone (DHT) doping in male athletes proposed the use of the urinary concentration ratio of DHT to epitestosterone (EpiT) as the primary m arker and those of 5 alpha-androstane-3 alpha,17 beta-diol (5 alpha-Ad iol) to EpiT, luteinizing hormone (LH), and 5 beta-androstane-3 alpha, 17 beta-diol (5 beta-Adiol) as secondary markers. Here we investigate the effects on these markers of intramuscular administration of DHT he ptanoate (250 mg) to six healthy men. Within 24 h of administration al l four markers greatly exceeded the published discrimination Limits, r emaining above these limits for 10-14 days. All ratios returned to bas al values by day 28. In contrast to results after percutaneous adminis tration, 5 beta-Adiol excretion decreased, probably as a consequence o f greater suppression of testicular steroidogenesis. Results were larg ely in agreement with those obtained after percutaneous administration , although probably augmented by the larger dose and the different rou te of delivery.