Gas chromatographic - Mass spectrometric cardiotonic glycosides detection in equine urine doping analysis

Abstract

A screening method for the detection of cardiotonic glycosides in horse's urine is presented in this paper. This method is based on the detection by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and gas chromatography-high resolution mass spectrometry (GC-HRMS) of the trimethylsilyl (TMS) derivatives of the aglycon moieties of these compounds after solid phase extraction and methanolysis, according to the standard procedure currently used for the screening of anabolic steroids in horses, in the Athens Doping Control Laboratory. This validated method was also applied for the excretion study of digoxin in two mare horses after a single administration of a 75 mug Kg(-1) oral dose, by GC-MS and GC-HRMS.