Detection of anabolic steroids in head hair

We developed a gas chromatography/mass spectrometry method for detection an d quantitation of anabolic steroids in head hair. Following alkaline digest ion and solid-phase extraction, the MO-TMS derivatives gave a specific frag mentation pattern with EI ionization. For stanozolol, the TMS-HFBA derivati ve showed several diagnostic ions. For androstanolone, mestanolone (methyla ndrostanolone), and oxymetholone two chromatographic peaks for cia and tran s isomers of derivatives were seen. Recoveries were 35 to 45% for androstan olone, oxymetholone, chlorotestosterone-acetate, dehydromerhyltestosterone, dehydrotestosterone, fluoxymesterone, mestanolone, methyltestosterone, and nandrolone; 52% for mesterolone, trenbolone; 65% for bolasterone; 24% for methenolone and 17% for stanozolol. Limits of detection were 0.002 to 0.05 ng/mg and of quantitation were 0.02 to 0.1 ng/mg. Seven white male steroid abusers provided head hair samples (10 to 63 mg) and urine. In the hair sam ples, methyltestosterone was detected:in two (confirmed in urine); nandrolo ne in two (also confirmed in urine); dehydromethyltestosterone in four (but not found in urine); and clenbuterol in one (but not in urine). Oxymethalo ne was found in urine in one, but not in the hair. One abuser had high leve ls of testosterone: 0.15 ng/mg hair, and 1190 ng/mL urine. We conclude that head hair analysis has considerable potential for the detection and monito ring of steroid abuse.