Analytical strategies based on mass spectrometric techniques for the study of steroid metabolism

•The use of mass spectrometry for the study of steroid metabolism is reviewed.•The evaluation of metabolism of both phase I and phase II is discussed.•Both direct and indirect (after hydrolysis) detection of conjugates is considered.•An integrated approach to the broad detection of steroid metabolism is suggested.

Anabolic androgenic steroids (AASs) are synthetic substances derived from testosterone, whose use in sports is prohibited. This review underlines the advantages and the drawbacks of different coupled mass spectrometry-based approaches to the identification of AAS metabolites. We discuss diverse aspects of the applications in the doping-control field, including sample preparation and instrumental analysis, with special emphasis on the potential scope of each strategy.