Effect of administration of human chorionic gonadotrophin on criteria used to assess testosterone administration in athletes D. A. Cowan, A. T. Kicman, C. J. Walker and M. J. Wheeler Drug Control and Teaching Centre, King's College, Manresa Road, London sw3 6LX *Department of Chemical Pathology, St Thomas' Hospital, Lambeth Palace Road, London sei 7EH received 2 May 1991 ABSTRACT
Abnormal ratios of testosterone to epitestosterone (T/E) and testosterone to LH (T/LH) in the urine of male athletes are indicative of testosterone administration. The T/E ratio has been adopted by the International Olympic Committee as the sole criterion used in the detection of testosterone administration. An athlete is usually considered to have failed a drug test if the urinary T/E ratio is greater than 6. Human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) has been used by some male athletes to stimulate testicular secretion of testosterone. The purpose of this investigation was to examine whether the urinary T/E ratio can remain unaffected by administration of hCG to normal adult males. Administration of hCG resulted in large increases in serum testosterone concentrations and
INTRODUCTION
Human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) is secreted in large amounts by the developing placenta (chorion) and by certain types of tumour. Small concentrations
hCG-like material have been measured in and urine extracts and have also been found pituitary in the serum of normal men (less than 60 years, < 1-3 IU/1; after 60 years,
Abnormal ratios of testosterone to epitestosterone (T/E) and testosterone to LH (T/LH) in the urine of male athletes are indicative of testosterone administration. The T/E ratio has been adopted by the International Olympic Committee as the sole criterion used in the detection of testosterone administration. An athlete is usually considered to have failed a drug test if the urinary T/E ratio is greater than 6. Human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) has been used by some male athletes to stimulate testicular secretion of testosterone. The purpose of this investigation was to examine whether the urinary T/E ratio can remain unaffected by administration of hCG to normal adult males. Administration of hCG resulted in large increases in serum testosterone concentrations and
INTRODUCTION
Human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) is secreted in large amounts by the developing placenta (chorion) and by certain types of tumour. Small concentrations
hCG-like material have been measured in and urine extracts and have also been found pituitary in the serum of normal men (less than 60 years, < 1-3 IU/1; after 60 years,
