A sensitive and highly specific method based on capillary column gas chromatography/mass spectrometry has been developed for the detection of 19-nortestosterone (17 beta-hydroxy-4-estren-3-one) metabolites in urine. After intramuscular administration of 19-nortestosterone decanoate to man, urine samples were collected during several days and treated with Helix pomatia digestive juice. The free steroids were extracted and converted into O-methyl-oxime-trimethylsilyl or the trimethylsilyl ether derivatives and analysed by capillary column gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). Three isomeric metabolites were detected and identified as 3 alpha-hydroxy-5 alpha-extran-17-one (19-norandrosterone), 3 alpha-hydroxy-5 beta-estran-17-one (19-noretiocholanolone) and 3 beta-hydroxy-5 alpha-estran-17-one (19-norepiandrosterone). Packed column GC/MS was also employed in the selected ion monitoring mode for the specific detection of 19-norandrosterone, the most abundant urinary metabolite of 19-nortestosterone. These gas chromatographic/mass spectrometric methods are highly specific tests which can be used on a routine basis for the confirmation of 19-nortestosterone administration to athletes as well as for therapeutic monitoring following administration of the drug.

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