NDTL Develops New Methandienone Detection Metabolite

New Delhi, Sep 4 (PTI) The National Dope Testing Laboratory (NDTL) has made a noteworthy advancement in improving the accuracy of detecting a frequently abused, banned anabolic steroid by developing a long-term metabolite. This breakthrough offers an extended detection window for identifying the substance in urine samples.

Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya announced the development on his X page, commending India's swift rise as a "global hub for sports science and innovation."

The minister stated, "Proud to share that NDTL has developed a new reference material methandienone long-term metabolite to boost accuracy in dope testing by widening the detection window." He also highlighted the laboratory's accreditation by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) and noted that this material will be shared with WADA-accredited labs worldwide, enhancing global anti-doping initiatives.

Methandienone, or Metandienone, an anabolic androgenic steroid introduced in the 1960s, is widely abused by athletes for its potent muscle-building properties, according to available data.

WADA has identified the new metabolite derived from this steroid as 17a-methyl-17b-hydroxymethyl-androst-1,4,13-trien-3-one in excretion study urine samples. The organization notes that it provides "a valuable tool for the long-term detection of metandienone abuse by athletes in sports drug testing." WADA further states, "17a-Methyl-17bhydroxymethyl-androst-1,4,13-trien-3-one was determined in Metandienone administration study urine specimens up to 19 days after the application of a single dose of 5mg, hence providing a detection period extended by more than one week compared to commonly employed strategies."

Anabolic agents account for 42 percent of total doping violations according to WADA's 2023 testing figures, with Methandienone representing nine percent. This is notably higher than the 4.4 percent recorded in 2011. The most abused metabolites include stanozolol at 14 percent and nandrolone at 12 percent.

(Only the headline of this report may have been reworked by Editorji; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)