An immediate implementation of a realistic strategy against rhEPO doping: Two indirect blood parameters used for screening and a direct detection of rhEPO in urine for confirmation

Project Title: An immediate Implementation of a realistic strategy against rhEPO doping: Two indirect blood parameters used for screening and a direct detection of rfEPO in urine for confirmation

Researchers: P. Mangin, N. Robinson, M. Saugy (Laboratoire Suisse d'Analyse du Dopage, Institut Universitaire de Médecine Légale, Lausanne, Switzerland), F. Lasne, J. de Ceaurriz (Laboratoire Nationale de Dépistage du Dopage, Château-Malabry, France), C. Ayotte (Institut Armand-Frappier-Santé (INRS), Québec, Canada)

Year accepted: 2002

Summary: The aim of this project is to have three IOC accredited laboratories^* capable of measuring the haematocrit and reficulocyte count before major competitions and also capable of detecting the presence of rhEPO in urine. The analysis of blood parameters has to be done, because it is a test sensitive, cheep, fast and selective enough to screen a maximum of athletes in a very short time. The doubtful samples will be selected and will be confirmed with the urinary test. As mentioned, this latter test is for the time being the only way to determine the presence or absence of rhEPO in urine, It is efficient, but it is expensive and time consuming.

*The International Olympic Committee (IOC) was responsible for the accreditation of anti-doping laboratories until 2004, when WADA fully took over the process.