The UK Sport perspective on detecting growth hormone abuse.
OBJECTIVE
Human growth hormone (hGH) is seen as a doping risk in sport because of its possible anabolic and lipolytic effects. As a result of this hGH is prohibited for athletes to use both in and out-of-competition by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) requiring Anti-Doping Organisations to work with research teams in identifying ways to detect hGH abuse.


METHODS
This paper reviews and discusses the UK Sport perspective on the challenges faced in detecting hGH and in particular draws upon the experiences gained during the collaborative efforts with the GH-2004 research team in achieving the implementation of the Marker Method for hGH detection.


CONCLUSIONS
In 2008 significant progress has been made; there is one test for detecting HGH approved for use in anti-doping and a second detection method pending. This is a strong reflection of the ongoing research efforts in anti-doping and the progress being made by the Anti-Doping Organisations in reducing the risk that doping poses to sport.
Stow
M R
MR
UK Sport, 2nd Floor, 40 Bernard Street, London, WC1N 1ST, United Kingdom. Michael.Stow@uksport.gov.uk
Wojek
N
N
Marshall
J
J
D056352:Athletes; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism; D002624:Chemistry, Clinical / Q000379:methods; D004300:Doping in Sports; D019382:Human Growth Hormone / Q000032:analysis* / Q000097:blood* / Q000652:urine; D006801:Humans; D007118:Immunoassay / Q000379:methods; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D013177:Sports; D015813:Substance Abuse Detection / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000379:methods*; D006113:United Kingdom
D015415:Biomarkers; D019382:Human Growth Hormone