Isotope ratio mass spectrometry in antidoping analysis: The use of endogenous reference compounds
Rationale: Isotope ratio mass spectrometry (IRMS) is an analytical technique required by the World Antidoping Agency (WADA) before releasing of an adverse finding for the abuse of pseudoendogenous steroids (i.e. testosterone). For every single individual, the delta 13 C values (‰) of the selected target compounds (TCs, i.e. testosterone and/or its precursors/metabolites) are compared with those of endogenous reference compounds (ERCs).