(1156-A) Electric-field Assisted Sample Preparation of Whole Blood and Dried Blood Spots for Steroid Quantification using LC-MS/MS
Monday, February 5, 2024
12:00 PM – 1:00 PM EST
Location: Exhibit Halls AB
Abstract: Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is the most prevalent endocrine and metabolic disorder amongst both female adolescents and adults. Despite the prevalence of the disorder, the diagnostic criteria are variable and unstandardized. Diagnosis of PCOS is extremely challenging and often goes undiagnosed for long amounts of time. Amongst the several definitions of PCOS, hyperandrogenism is included in all the sets of diagnostic criteria. Hormone dysregulation is a critical component of PCOS, but there remain sensitivity problems in the hormonal tests. This study utilizes a liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) assay to quantify hormone dysregulation in PCOS from whole blood in order to create a highly specific diagnostic method. Four hormones were selected for quantification: cortisol, 17-OHP, progesterone, and testosterone. Clinically relevant ranges of these analytes associated with PCOS were identified and utilized to create an in-house RUO prototype kit. Advanced sample preparations like DBS and electro-DBS (with both horizontal and vertical separation arrangements) were evaluated. This study demonstrates that the four analytes can be identified and quantified in whole blood and dried blood spots using the LC-MS/MS and the prototype kit. The study also establishes DBS and electro-DBS as viable sample collection methods for the quantification of these analytes from patient samples. This study establishes the premise for the use of dried blood spots for the diagnosis of PCOS in female adolescents and the subsequent application of an LC-MS/MS-based assay for accurate detection of the aforementioned disorder.