Mass Spectrometry & Purification Techniques
Open Access

Abstract

Analytical Performance of LC-MS/MS Method for Simultaneous Determination of Five Steroids in Serum

Atecla Nunciata Lopes Alves, Berenice Bilharinho Mendonca and Helena Panteliou Lima Valassi

The accurate measurement of steroid hormones is the fulcrum of modern endocrinology. Our aim was to develop a mass spectrometry coupled with a liquid chromatographic method for 17-hydroxyprogesterone, androstenedione, 11-desoxycortisol, 21-desoxycortisol and cortisol serum quantification simultaneously. The samples were submitted to isotopic internal standards addition, protein precipitation and two dimensional liquid chromatography consisting of trapping column and reverse-phase C18 analytical column following atmospheric pressure chemical ionization and mass spectrometry detection. For all compounds tested functional sensitivity was less than 0.5 ng/mL, precision was less than 15%, recovery ranged from 93% to 120%, linearity ranged from 89% to 111%, and accuracy was considered adequate. In conclusion, we developed a suitable, fast and reliable method for simultaneous routine measurement of 17-hydroxyprogesterone, androstenedione, 11-desoxycortisol, 21-desoxycortisol and cortisol in serum.