Challenges in detecting substances for equine anti‐doping

Abstract

The artificial increase of the physical capability of horses using drugs is well known in racing and other equine sports. Both illicit and therapeutic substances are regarded as prohibited substances in competition in most countries. Some countries make distinctions for a few, specific drugs which are, however, allowed for use in other countries. The primary objective in the case of doping control is the detection of any trace of drug exposure, either parent drug or any of its metabolites, using the most powerful analytical methods which are generally based on chromatographic/mass spectrometric techniques. Of major concern in horseracing is the absence of a single organization regulating the anti-doping framework; instead of this, individual racing authorities provide rules and regulations often resulting in variations in the applied doping control programmes of different countries. The aim of this paper is to review the recent literature (approximately from 2012 to mid-2016) to highlight the numerous and diverse challenges faced in doping control of racing and equestrian sports, including the detection of designer drugs (anabolic steroids or stimulants) and of other emerging prohibited substances, such as peptides and noble gases in horse urine and plasma. Moreover, the application of 'omics' techniques (especially of metabolomics) deserves attention for establishing possible fingerprints of drug abuse as well as the evolution of instrumental analysis resulting a powerful ally in the fight against doping in equine sports.

A role for metabolomics in the antidoping toolbox?

“…Horse racing is a renewed industry in many countries which is worth several billion euros each year. Several legal and illegal substances can be used to treat racehorses during training and in competition 101 to improve their performance, either by increasing their potential through anabolic substances, or by reducing their sensibility to pain. From the point of view of this article, it is interesting to note that several metabolomics approaches have been developed to discriminate hormonally doped from non‐doped animals.…”

Analysis of illicit glucocorticoid levels in camel hair using competitive ELISA – Comparison with LC–MS/MS

“…In animal racing such as horse and camel racing, a few antidoping agencies are still using ELISA for screening urine and blood followed by confirmation using LC-MS/MS or GC-MS techniques. 16,17 This method is one such technique describing a cheap ELISA method for the quick initial screening of drugs, without using costly and advanced techniques such as LC-MS/MS or GC-MS. The ELISA data were also compared with LC-MS/MS data to assess the accuracy of the hair ELISA test.…”

A novel and innovative hair test to determine glucocorticoid levels in racing camels for use in assessment of doping, health, and disease

“…Owing to their anti‐inflammatory, analgesic, and mood‐elevating properties, these steroids are illicitly used as performance enhancers in both human and animal sports. Out‐of‐competition use is generally accepted, while in‐competition use is subject to permissible special application routes in humans and is absolutely prohibited in camel racing.…”