BLOOD-SAMPLING IN DOPING CONTROL - FIRST EXPERIENCES FROM REGULAR TESTING IN ATHLETICS

We report the results from blood sampling taken for the first time dur ing doping control in athletics. The study includes samples from 99 at hletes tested during IAAF-meetings in 1993-94. flood doping with allog enic blood was not detected. The distribution of haemoglobin levels in athletes did not differ markedly from that found in controls. Erythro poietin (EPO) values were markedly lower in athletes than in controls, and 58% had EPO lower than the detection limit for the assay. This ma y be due to high-altitude residence prior to testing. Measurements of growth hormone (GH) and insulin-like growth factor 1 did not suggest G H-misuse in any athlete tested. One third of the male athletes had tes tosterone levels that were lower than the normal reference interval. T his may at least partly be due to the combination of sampling at night and after strenuous exercise. One female athlete was found to have a grossly elevated testosterone level. In conclusion, the present result s show the importance of taking into account the special circumstances during sampling when interpreting results from blood testing in athle tes. Future research should focus on develping more sensitive and spec ific tests to detect doping with endogenous substances such as GH and EPO.