Testosterone metabolism and doping test results

Abstract

Glucuronidation is one of the most important metabolic processes which eliminates androgens from the human organism. Three enzymes (UDP-glucuronosyltransferases) are responsible for transfering the glucuronic group from glucuronic acid to androgens: UGT2B7, UGT2B15 and UGT2B17. Glucuronide products are more polar, water soluble, less toxic and easily extracted form the body.
Testosterone is a common androgen abused in sport. The norm for urinary testosterone/epitestosterone ratio is below 4.0. Large testosterone excretion is associated with a deletion polymorphism of the UGT2B17 gene. This polymorphism decreases T/E ratio level.