Characterization of desoxymethyltestosterone main urinary metabolite produced from cultures of human fresh hepatocytes

Desoxymethyltestosterone (DMT; 17β-hydroxy-17α-methyl-5α-androst-2-ene) is a designer steroid present in hormonal supplements distributed illegally as such or in combination with other steroids, for self-administration. It figures on the list of substances prohibited in sports and its detection in athlete’s urine samples is based upon the presence of the parent compound or the main urinary metabolite, which has not been characterized yet. Following its isolation from cultures of human fresh hepatocytes and S9 fractions of liver homogenates, we were able to identify this metabolite as being 17α-methyl-2β,3α,17β-trihydroxy-5α-androstane. Other minor metabolites were also characterized. The production, isolation, NMR, mass spectral analyses and chemical synthesis are presented.

► 17β-Hydroxy-17α-methyl-5α-androst-2-ene is a designer steroid prohibited to athletes. ► Its major urinary metabolite was obtained from incubations with human hepatocytes. ► It was characterized by synthesis, NMR and mass spectral analysis. ► 17α-Methyl-2β,3α,17β-trihydroxy-5α-androstane was identified in athlete’s samples.