Urine Testing to determine use of Physically Enhancing Drugs Jonathan MertzWilliam Kou

ArgumentUrine testing is a valid method of determining whether athletes have been using illicit drugs, and whether the urine sample has been tampered with.

Overview of the Kidney and Why Urine is a good representation of Substances in the BodyThe kidneys are the bodys filtration system. It uses a highly permeable blood vessel system which allows wastes, metabolites, water, toxins, and excess substances to exit the blood vessel.The Kidneys then reabsorbs the metabolites and water which can be reused and circulated through the blood.This leaves the toxins, waste and excess substances which the body does not require.Among these, physical enhancement drugs such as Steroids can be found.

Urine CollectionAny athlete participating in a sports event supervised by WADA must be subject to a random urine analysis test. During collection, there must be a witness present as well as a Doping Control Officer who retains the right to have the athlete remove or adjust any clothing which would impede sample provisionThe sample is then sealed into two tamper evident bottles, totaling a minimum of 90 mL of sample

Other Collection RequirementsWADA accredited laboratories are required [] to analyze a minimum of 3000 doping samples provided annually by code compliant testing authorities. Athletes are required to complete a medical declaration which states all medicines, drugs and substances taken over the last week.The samples are required to be kept for a minimum of 3 months after the sample was taken.

Lab TestingSpecific Gravity TestGC/MSUrinary Dipstick Test1D-Gel ElectrophoresisDNA TypingLC-MS/MS Analysis

Urinary Dipstick TestA screening test which provides easy determination of a samples specific gravity, among other factors.

Gel Electrophoresis

Cases of Tampering Attempts An unremarkable urine sample was run through the screening process (GS-MS/NPD) and found to have none of the hormones which are expected in human urine. The sample was submitted to an ethanol test and determined to be dealcoholized beer.

Red Urine Samples

Three urine samples were obtained which were a somewhat uncommon red color.After screening tests, one of the samples was shown to have blood in it, the others went on to further tests. After LC-MS, the results showed that Betanin (the dye from beets) was the cause of the red color of the urine. It was determined that the sample was not tampered with

Famous Athletes Caught Using Urine TestBen JohnsonCaught with Stanozolol, which is an anabolic steroid, inhis urine .

Alberto Contador tested positive for Clenbuterol in his urine

Bryan Berard tested positive for Norandrosterone in a urine test

Floyd Landis was caught with abnormally high levels of testosterone in his urine.

Techniques usedSpecific Gravity TestUrinary Dipstick Test1D-Gel ElectrophoresisDNA TypingLC-MS/MS Analysis

Steroids take roughly 30 days to completely leave the body

Steroids take roughly 30 days to completely leave the body

**To ensure that laboratories remain proficient in sample handling and preparation,

this includes over the counter medicine, supplements and prescribed drugs.

After the samples have been tested, *Once the sample reaches the lab, it undergoes a screening process, that involving specific gravity and GC/MS. If the data from the samples are considered suspicious, the sample then goes through more rigorous testing. This may include LC/MS/MS, DNA Typing, Gel Electrophoresis and ethanol determination or even isotopic ratio analysis.

**Gel electrophoresis is used to separate proteins, DNA and RNA fragments*The lab workers suspected it was beer and had to prove it with data.*The blood results from high contact sports like karate. *Norandrosterone *Although as shown there is a problem with chain in command, the urine tests were still capable of proving that the samples have been tampered with. Were here to show you that urine testing is a valid method of determining whether athletes have been using illicit drugs, and whether the urine sample has been tampered with.

**Methylene blue*