Trends in the Detection of Erythropoietin Receptor Agonists (ERAs) in Anti-Doping: An Analysis of Recent Adverse Analytical Findings (AAFs).

Anti-doping efforts aim to reduce the prevalence of doping through a combination of education, deterrence, and detection. Detection of doping practices, for example through testing and/or investigations, aims both to catch committed dopers and deter potential dopers. To date, little empirical evidence is available examining the ability of detection strategies to deter athletes from doping.

Biological Variation Data in Triathletes for Metabolism and Growth-Related Biomarkers Included in the Athlete Biological Passport.

Background: When using biological variation (BV) data, BV estimates need to be robust and representative. High-endurance athletes represent a population under special physiological conditions, which could influence BV estimates. Our study aimed to estimate BV in athletes for metabolism and growth-related biomarkers involved in the Athlete Biological Passport (ABP), by 2 different statistical models.

Yearly intrasubject variability of hematological biomarkers in elite athletes for the Athlete Biological Passport.

Confounding factors including exercise and environments challenge the interpretation of individual Athlete Biological Passports (ABPs). This study aimed to investigate the natural variability of hematological ABP parameters over 1 year in elite athletes compared with healthy control subjects and the validity of a multiparametric model estimating plasma volume (PV) shifts to correct individual ABP thresholds. Blood samples were collected monthly with full blood counts performed by flow cytometry (Sysmex XN analyzers) in 20 elite xc-skiers (ELITE) and 20 moderately trained controls.

Longitudinal Profiling of Endogenous Steroids in Blood Using the Athlete Biological Passport Approach.

Context: Detection of endogenous anabolic androgenic steroids (EAAS), like testosterone (T), as doping agents has been improved with the launch of the Steroidal Module of the Athlete Biological Passport (ABP) in urine samples.

Objective: To target doping practices with EAAS, particularly in individuals with low level of biomarkers excreted in urine, by including new target compounds measured in blood.

Design: T and T/androstenedione (T/A4) distributions were obtained from 4 years of anti-doping data and applied as priors to analyze individual profiles from 2 T administration studies in female and male subjects.

Long-Term Within- and Between-Subject Biological Variation Data of Hematological Parameters in Recreational Endurance Athletes.

Background: Hematological parameters have many applications in athletes, from monitoring health to uncovering blood doping. This study aimed to deliver biological variation (BV) estimates for 9 hematological parameters by a Biological Variation Data Critical Appraisal Checklist (BIVAC) design in a population of recreational endurance athletes and to assess the effect of self-reported exercise and health-related variables on BV.

Methods: Samples were drawn from 30 triathletes monthly for 11 months and measured in duplicate for hematological measurands on an Advia 2120 analyzer (Siemens Healthineers).

Removal of the influence of plasma volume fluctuations for the athlete biological passport and stability of haematological variables in active women taking oral contraception.

The haematological module of the athlete biological passport (ABP) monitors longitudinal haematological variations that could be indicative of blood manipulation. This study applied a multi-parametric model previously validated in elite cyclists to compare inferred and actual PV variations, whereas the potential influence of the oral contraceptive pill (OCP) cycle on the ABP blood biomarkers and plasma volume (PV) in 14 physically active women taking OCPs was also investigated. Blood and serum samples were collected each week for 8 weeks, and the ABP haematological variables were determined according to the World Anti-Doping Agency guidelines.

Application of the Athlete Biological Passport Approach to the Detection of Growth Hormone Doping.

Context: Because of its anabolic and lipolytic properties, growth hormone (GH) use is prohibited in sport. Two methods based on population-derived decision limits are currently used to detect human GH (hGH) abuse: the hGH Biomarkers Test and the Isoforms Differential Immunoassay.

Objective: We tested the hypothesis that longitudinal profiling of hGH biomarkers through application of the Athlete Biological Passport (ABP) has the potential to flag hGH abuse.

Standardization of reticulocyte counts in the athlete biological passport: A practical update.

Introduction: The athlete biological passport monitors blood variables over time to uncover blood doping. With the phasing in of a new series of blood analyzers, the Sysmex XN series, it was necessary to examine the comparability of results with the previously employed XT/XE series. A previous comparison between XN and XT/XE series suggested a small but significant bias between the two instruments in the measurements of RET%.

A multi-parametric approach to remove the influence of plasma volume on the athlete biological passport during a Union Cycliste Internationale cycling stage race.

Fluctuations in plasma volume (PV) present potential confounders within the concentration-based markers of the haematological athlete biological passport (ABP). Here, a multi-parametric approach involving a simple blood test is applied to the current ABP adaptive model in an attempt to remove the influence of PV expansion, induced by a cycling stage race. Blood samples were obtained from 29 professional cyclists (14 male, 15 female) before, during and after 4-5 consecutive days of racing.

Biomarkers of doping: uses, discovery and validation.

A biomarker of doping indicates the biological response to the use of a prohibited substance or method. Uncovering novel biomarkers of doping is a key objective in order to improve antidoping outcomes such as the detection of doping and changing athlete behavior toward doping practices. While the antidoping field has been successful in validating novel metabolites of prohibited substances, there has been less success in developing new biomarkers of doping.