SHORT-COLUMN GAS-CHROMATOGRAPHY TANDEM MASS-SPECTROMETRY FOR THE DETECTION OF UNDERIVATIZED ANABOLIC-STEROIDS IN URINE

Short-column (3.5 m) gas chromatography (GC)/tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) has been investigated for the detection of structurally relate d, underivatized anabolic steroids in urine. The approach described he re demonstrates the ability to rapidly and qualitatively detect underi vatized anabolic steroids in spiked urine matrices. In this approach, underivatized steroids are determined using a short-column GC separati on, ionized by positive ion chemical ionization, and detected by selec ted reaction monitoring MS/MS. This approach permits positive identifi cation of underivatized anabolic steroids based on retention time and the production of characteristic product ions. Preliminary detection l imits studies in spiked urine samples showed quantitative results betw een 2 and 40 ng steroid per milliliter of urine. The potential advanta ges of this approach compared to present screening methods based on co nventional (30 m) GC/MS are its rapidity and selectivity. Reliable qua litative identification can be performed with a short-column GC/MS/MS analysis of less than 6 min with a reduction in sample preparation tim e due to the elimination of the derivatization step.