Detection of human chorionic gonadotrophin misuse in sports

The peptide hormone human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) was measured in the urine of 5663 male athletes collected for doping analysis in Flanders during the period 1993-1996. Using the Abbott IMx hCG procedure, the free and whole molecule associated beta-subunit of human chorionic gonadotrophin was determined. Statistical evaluation of the data results in a far outside value of 2.28 mlU/ml. The decision limit, i.e. the concentration at which a sportsman will be considered positive, is set at 5 mlU/ml to ensure with the greatest possible degree of certainty that no false positive results are reported.