Stimulating luteinizing hormone

Low molecular weight luteinizing hormone (LMWLH) receptor agonists could be of interest as a potential doping substance for athletes. These orally active compounds induce the production of endogenous hormones such as testosterone in a similar way to LH. A method for the detection of these compounds needs to be direct as their effect – the excess production of endogenous hormones – cannot be proven by analysis techniques which test for endogenous hormones. In order to detect a broad range of potential LMWLH receptor agonists, a precursor ion monitoring liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry method was developed. The method was tested against a selection of urine samples to ascertain potential problems with background analytes interfering with the compounds of interests. Selected compounds were extracted with an established methodology from urine to determine suitability of implementing into general screening methodologies. The two available LMWLH receptor agonists could be detected at concentrations of 100 ng/ml in urine samples. This establishes a basic precursor ion monitoring method suitable for screening purposes for the detection of LMWLH receptor agonists in urine samples. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.