Watson, P., Houghton, E., Grace, P. B., Judkins, C., Dunster, P. M., & Maughan, R. J. (2009). Excretion patterns of nandrolone metabolites after ingestion of a nandrolone pro-hormone: Effect of delivery mode. ACSM 56th Annual Meeting, Seattle, Washington. Presentation number 1129.

"Trace quantities of pro-hormones have been found in dietary supplements without their presence being disclosed on the label. Ingestion of as little as 2.5ug 19-norandrostenedione added to a creatine supplement has been shown to result in positive doping tests (Watson et al. in press)."

This study examined whether the excretion pattern of nandrolone metabolites in response to ingestion of a trace quantity of 19-noradrostenedione is influenced by a solid or liquid supplement matrix. On two occasions, Ss (M = 10; F = 10) entered the laboratory in the morning following an overnight fast. After an initial urine collection, Ss ingested either 500 mL of plain water or a commercially-available sports energy bar: 10 ug of 19-norandrostendione was added to each. The volume of each urine sample passed over the next 24 hours was measured and an aliquot retained for analysis. Samples were analyzed for the metabolites 19-norandrosterone (19-NA) and 19-noretiocholanolone (19-NE) by GCMS.

The total volume of urine passed was higher in the water trial than in the bar trial. Ingestion of the supplements resulted in lower peak urinary 19-NA concentrations in the water trial than in the bar trial. The time elapsed between ingestion of the supplement and the peak urinary 19-NA concentration was greater following ingestion of the bar than during the water trial. There was no difference in the percentage total recovery of 19-NA + 19-NE between the liquid and solid supplements conditions.

Implication. Ingestion of 10 ug 19-norandrostendione results in urinary 19-NA concentrations in excess of the WADA cut-off for a positive doping test. Peak 19-NA concentrations are higher and occur later, when the 19-norandrostenedione is added to a solid supplement. This may be due to a slower rate of absorption, and/or a reduced diuresis, resulting in a longer period for the metabolites to accumulate in the urine.

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