The Growth Hormone Detection test

In 1996, the GH-2000 research group funded by the European Union set out to develop reliable GH detection methodology.

In 1999, this group proposed an important GH detection methodology, which would detect GH abuse up to 28 days since last administration.

Following this development the International Olympic Committee requested further validation of this methodology in order to be able to identify “beyond reasonable doubt” GH dopers with minimal risk of false accusation. In 2003, the GH-2004 project was set up at the University of Southampton with the aim of validating this methodology further.

The results from the GH-2000 and the GH-2004 research groups, as well as the results from other independently run international research projects were investigated with the aim of validating the GH detection methodology and ensuring that any results from this methodology will be able to give evidence beyond reasonable doubt.

The IGF-I Detection test

Many of the anabolic actions of GH are mediated through the generation of insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I). There are reports that exogenous recombinant human (rh)IGF-I is already being abused by athletes either alone or in combination with GH. The use of IGF-I is also banned under the World Anti Doping Agency (WADA) list of prohibited substances. The detection of exogenously administered rhGH and rhIGF-I poses a formidable challenge, as they are identical to the endogenously produced hormones.

At present there is no specific test to detect IGF-I abuse but in principle, should be detectable by GH-dependent markers.

This approach would be attractive as it may allow the doping authorities to use a single test to detect doping with either GH or IGF-I. There are several pieces of evidence to support this hypothesis. First IGF I is one of the markers that is most GH sensitive and emerged as one of the best markers to indicate GH administration. Secondly, the majority of the anabolic actions of GH are mediated by IGF-I, which is known to affect the GH axis, and limited previous studies have shown that IGF-I affects collagen turnover in soft tissues, ligaments and bone. The aim of the current project is to assess whether a marker approach can be used to detect the administration of exogenous IGF-I.