Epitestosterone
| File:Epitestosterone.gif | |
| Identifiers | |
|---|---|
| |
| CAS Number | |
| CompTox Dashboard (EPA) | |
| ECHA InfoCard | 100.169.813 |
| Chemical and physical data | |
| Formula | C19H28O2 |
| Molar mass | 288.42 |
Epitestosterone is a natural steroid, an inactive isomer of the hormone testosterone. Epitestosterone is believed to form in a similar way to testosterone; however, the exact site of its formation is unknown. It has been shown to accumulate in mammary cyst fluid and in the prostate. Epitestosterone levels are typically highest in young males; however, by adulthood, most healthy males exhibit a testosterone to epitestosterone ratio (T/E ratio) of about 1:1[1].
Epistestosterone and Testosterone
It has been shown that exogenous administration of testosterone does not affect levels of epitestosterone in the body. As a result, tests to determine the ratio of testosterone to epitestosterone in urine are used to find athletes who are doping. A normal healthy person has a ratio of about 1:1 testosterone to epitestosterone (T/E ratio) in their urine
Although epitestosterone has not been shown to enhance athletic performance, administration of epistestosterone can be used to mask a high level of testosterone if the standard T/E ratio test is used. As such, epitestosterone is banned by many sporting authorities as a masking agent for testosterone.
Urine test taken from Floyd Landis, winner of the 2006 Tour de France showed "an unusual level of testosterone/epitestosterone" of 11:1, in violation of the 4:1 limit imposed by the race organizers. Although this suggested doping, it may have been caused by a low epitestosterone level rather than an artificially elevated testosterone level. Landis has also claimed that an elevated testosterone level could be related to his hypothyroidism.
External links
Notes
- ^ "Substances: Testosterone to epitestosterone (T/E) ratio". Australian Government. Tuesday, February 28, 2006.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help)