The Library
1530 papers on microsampling and monitoring, each with a finding paraphrased to our standard and labelled in one vocabulary. Every entry links to a legitimate copy; nothing is copied from an abstract.
25 papers labelled “doping”, newest first.
2026
The analysis indicates that dried blood spots and volumetric absorptive microsampling enable minimally invasive monitoring of prohibited substances, with volumetric absorptive microsampling offering improved quantitative reliability over traditional dried spots.
Liquid Chromatographic Methods for Microsampling in Sports Drug Monitoring: Progress in DBS and VAMS — Zhang, Biomedical chromatography : BMC (paywalled)
- vams
- doping
- blood
- dbs
- dried
- steroids
- toxicology
- hormones
- validation
- biomarkers
2026
A validated two-step LC-MS/MS protocol can identify 91 prohibited doping agents from a single dried blood spot collected on either cellulose cards or volumetric absorptive microsampling devices. This demonstrates robust multi-analyte screening from capillary blood, supporting decentralised anti-doping programmes where venous sampling is impractical.
Dried Blood Spots for Doping Purpose-Two-Step Protocol for Analysis of Non-Threshold Substances and Anabolic Steroid Esters From One Spot/Pebble — Stojanovic et al., Biomedical chromatography : BMC (paywalled)
- blood
- dried
- capillary
- vams
- dbs
- validation
- doping
- toxicology
2026
This review highlights that microsampling techniques such as dried blood spots and volumetric absorptive microsampling offer superior alternatives to traditional sampling for the mass spectrometry detection of prohibited substances in anti-doping analysis. It provides guidance on selecting appropriate analytical methods and sample pretreatment strategies to ensure sensitive detection and reliable storage conditions.
Mass Spectrometry-Based Anti-Doping Analysis: A Critical Review of Emerging Analytical and Sample Pretreatment Strategies — Maykar et al., Critical reviews in analytical chemistry (paywalled)
- blood
- urine
- dried
- vams
- dbs
- validation
- doping
- toxicology
2026
Capillary blood collected with Tasso+ devices demonstrated strong agreement with venous blood for primary Athlete Biological Passport markers (haemoglobin, reticulocytes, OFF-score, ABPS) with correlations ≥0.9, though platelet count showed poor concordance. Despite 44 of 209 samples failing pre-analytical checks mainly due to coagulation, high athlete acceptance and minimal pain support capillary sampling as a less invasive, viable alternative for decentralised anti-doping controls.
Capillary Blood as a Potential New Matrix for the Athlete Biological Passport: A Field-Based Comparison Study — Requena-Tutusaus et al., Medicine and science in sports and exercise (paywalled)
- blood
- liquid
- capillary
- validation
- venous-agreement
- acceptability
- doping
2026
ALAS2 and CA1 mRNA were reliably quantified from venous-cellulose, capillary-cellulose and Tasso-M20 dried blood spots with strong linear agreement (r ≥ 0.96) and no bias for ALAS2. CA1 showed modest proportional bias of 9-22% only when Tasso-M20 was compared with cellulose cards in the rEPO cohort, but no significant differences in relative expression across matrices were observed at any timepoint. These findings support decentralised capillary sampling for longitudinal anti-doping monitoring.
Comparison of Dried Blood Spot Sampling Methods for RNA-Based Biomarker Measurement in Anti-Doping — Bejder et al., Drug testing and analysis
- blood
- dried
- capillary
- dbs
- validation
- venous-agreement
- doping
- biomarkers
2026
Capillary blood collected by volumetric absorptive microsampling gave a shorter detection window than urine for a stimulant, helping to distinguish recent from earlier use, and more reliable detection of long-acting diuretics that bind red cells. This shows microsampling can improve interpretation in drug-monitoring programmes where urinary data alone may be ambiguous.
Stressing the limits of capillary blood in anti-doping analysis: perspectives on alkylamine-like stimulants and carbonic anhydrase II inhibitors in result management — da Costa Nunes et al., Frontiers in sports and active living
- blood
- dried
- capillary
- vams
- neoteryx-mitra
- doping
- toxicology
2025
A multi-targeted procedure covered 237 prohibited substances across 11 WADA classes in dried urine spots, with environmental-stability testing for refrigeration-free transport.
LC-HRMS screening for 11 classes of prohibited substances in dried urine spots for doping control — Mazzarino et al., Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry (paywalled)
- neoteryx-mitra
- doping
- dried
- toxicology
- urine
- validation
2025
This study compared four dried blood spot devices for glucocorticoid detection, finding that the Mitra VAMS device offered the best combination of analytical recovery and user usability, whilst the HemaXis DB10 showed the least bias compared to whole blood.
Analytical and usability comparison of microsampling dried blood spot devices for glucocorticoid detection in sports using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry — Chen et al., Analytica chimica acta (paywalled)
- vams
- acceptability
- neoteryx-mitra
- doping
- blood
- dbs
- haematocrit
- dried
- toxicology
- hormones
- validation
2025
The authors found that a single microdose of recombinant EPO was detectable up to 72 hours using ITP and CP methods, though the Tasso microsampling device showed lower sensitivity than Mitra and Capitainer. Additionally, isotope ratio mass spectrometry successfully detected testosterone micro-dosing in all analysed samples, supported by serum testosterone levels.
Detection of a Single Microdose of Testosterone and Recombinant EPO in Healthy Volunteers — Heiland et al., Drug testing and analysis
- neoteryx-mitra
- doping
- blood
- dbs
- dried
- steroids
- capillary
- hormones
- urine
- validation
2025
Researchers developed an assay to quantify seven cannabinoids and metabolites from 20 µL oral fluid self-collected via a VAMS device, achieving a limit of quantitation of 0.5 ng/mL. In six cannabis consumers, the method successfully quantified Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol up to 6236 ng/mL, demonstrating the feasibility of low-volume volumetric microsampling for non-invasive toxicology and roadside testing.
Quantitative analysis of cannabinoids and metabolites in oral fluid by volumetric absorptive microsampling combined with UHPLC-HRMS — Thiebot et al., Analytical and bioanalytical chemistry (paywalled)
- saliva
- vams
- neoteryx-mitra
- validation
- doping
- toxicology
2025
Erythropoietin was unstable in urine stored at room temperature or 37 degrees, with degradation in eight of twelve participants, while serum samples showed greater stability. Recombinant EPO detectability was identical across urine, venous serum and capillary serum collected with the Tasso+ SST device, leading the authors to recommend capillary serum collection for doping control to improve overall detection of erythropoiesis-stimulating agents.
Assessing EPO stability in urine and comparing recombinant EPO detectability in matched urine, venous serum, and capillary serum following a controlled epoetin alfa administration — Miller et al., Drug testing and analysis (paywalled)
- blood
- urine
- capillary
- validation
- venous-agreement
- doping
2025
Endogenous erythropoietin was detectable in 100% of microvolumetric capillary serum samples shipped at ambient temperature, and recombinant erythropoietin remained detectable under varied storage and shipping conditions except extreme heat, indicating that blood microsamples can be shipped without cold chain for ERA testing.
Detecting EPO in Microvolumetric Capillary Serum Shipped at Ambient Temperature for Antidoping Testing — Miller et al., Drug testing and analysis (paywalled)
- blood
- capillary
- validation
- doping
2025
Capillary whole blood collected with RedDrop and Tasso+ devices showed excellent laboratory agreement with venous blood for complete blood count parameters except platelets, indicating that microcapillary sampling is a valid alternative to venepuncture for anti-doping athlete biological passport testing.
Comparison of Microcapillary Blood Sampling Devices for Use in Anti-Doping — Lewis et al., Drug testing and analysis (paywalled)
- blood
- liquid
- capillary
- validation
- venous-agreement
- doping
2025
The study compared five microsampling devices, including Mitra tips and Tasso-M20, for detecting 27 steroid esters in dried blood by LC-MS/MS, and found that methanol extraction with Girard's reagent P or T provided the best screening sensitivity with detection limits of 0.05 to 1.0 ng/mL, while methoxyamine derivatization was recommended for confirming boldenone and certain testosterone esters. The Tasso-M20 device produced chromatographic interference with methanol extraction that was only partially resolved by using mixed solvents, at the cost of lower recoveries.
Comparability of different analytical workflows for steroid esters detection in doping control field — Mazzarino et al., Journal of pharmaceutical and biomedical analysis (paywalled)
- blood
- dried
- vams
- dbs
- neoteryx-mitra
- validation
- doping
2025
Capillary blood collected with a Tasso+ device showed excellent agreement with venous serum for testosterone, the testosterone/androstenedione ratio, and luteinising hormone in 20 adults tracked over six weeks. The biomarkers remained stable when capillary samples were stored at room temperature, suggesting capillary microsampling could enable decentralised, patient-centric collection for the Athlete Biological Passport without cold-chain logistics.
Is blood blood? Comparing quantitation of endogenous steroids and luteinizing hormone in concurrently collected venous serum and Tasso+ SST capillary serum samples — Goodrum et al., Drug testing and analysis (paywalled)
- blood
- capillary
- validation
- venous-agreement
- hormones
- doping
2024
Capillary dried blood spots collected during professional triathlon competitions detected endogenous erythropoietin in all 111 athletes using Tasso-M20 devices, even when matching urine samples were negative. Mitra VAMS devices also sensitively detected recombinant EPO micro-doses and the EPO c.577del variant, confirming that microsampling provides a viable complementary matrix for decentralised doping analysis.
Dried blood spots for erythropoietin analysis: Detection of micro-doses, EPO c.577del variant and comparison with in-competition matching urine samples — Heiland et al., Drug testing and analysis (paywalled)
- blood
- dried
- capillary
- vams
- dbs
- neoteryx-mitra
- validation
- doping
2024
Fifty-eight matched capillary and venous blood samples collected under official doping control conditions demonstrated excellent laboratory agreement for complete blood count parameters (except platelets) after temperature-monitored air shipment. This validates micro capillary collection as a virtually painless, athlete-friendly alternative to venipuncture for the Athlete Biological Passport, supporting its use in decentralised diagnostics.
Application of micro capillary blood sampling in an anti-doping setting — Lewis et al., Drug testing and analysis (paywalled)
- blood
- capillary
- validation
- venous-agreement
- doping
2024
The authors validated an LC-MS/MS method for quantifying 18 endogenous steroids and metabolites in 30 μL dried blood VAMS samples from 20 healthy volunteers. Steroids remained stable for up to 100 days across storage temperatures from room temperature to -80 °C and through three freeze-thaw cycles, suggesting VAMS is reliable for doping control and clinical hormone monitoring outside traditional settings.
LC-MS/MS measurement of endogenous steroid hormones and phase II metabolites in blood volumetric absorptive microsampling (VAMS) for doping control purposes — Ponzetto et al., Clinica chimica acta; international journal of clinical chemistry (paywalled)
- blood
- dried
- vams
- validation
- hormones
- doping
- toxicology
2021
Protti and colleagues developed and validated a VAMS-based workflow for enantioselective analysis of clenbuterol in urine microsamples. The method achieved good linearity, a limit of quantification of 0.3 ng/mL, and 87% extraction yield, supporting its potential for decentralised doping control and toxicology screening.
VAMS and StAGE as innovative tools for the enantioselective determination of clenbuterol in urine by LC-MS/MS — Protti et al., Journal of pharmaceutical and biomedical analysis (paywalled)
- urine
- vams
- validation
- doping
- toxicology
2021
Dried urine microsampling with volumetric absorptive microsampling and dried urine spot improved the stability of peptide hormones and growth factors during drying, storage and transport, enabling reliable LC-MS/MS quantitation for anti-doping testing.
Enhanced urinary stability of peptide hormones and growth factors by dried urine microsampling — Protti et al., Journal of pharmaceutical and biomedical analysis (paywalled)
- urine
- dried
- vams
- validation
- hormones
- doping
- toxicology
2020
A direct DUS-versus-VAMS comparison for 13 steroids on the same urine: VAMS gave better precision and recovery and superior one-year room-temperature stability.
Dried urine microsampling coupled to LC-MS/MS for the analysis of unconjugated anabolic-androgenic steroids — Protti et al., Molecules
- vams
- volumetric
- doping
- dried
- steroids
- toxicology
- hormones
- urine
- validation
2020
The study developed and validated a LC-HRMS method for intact IGF-I from VAMS dried blood according to World Anti-Doping Agency requirements and showed agreement with serum measurements, supporting decentralised sampling for antidoping testing.
Use of capillary dried blood for quantification of intact IGF-I by LC-HRMS for antidoping analysis — Mongongu et al., Bioanalysis (paywalled)
- blood
- dried
- vams
- neoteryx-mitra
- validation
- venous-agreement
- doping
2020
Dried urine spot and volumetric absorptive microsampling methods were validated for quantifying six corticosteroids in 30 μl urine, showing good linearity, extraction yields exceeding 81 percent, and precision within 15 percent relative standard deviation. Analytes remained stable for seven days at room temperature, indicating urine microsampling is viable for remote antidoping control and could support decentralised steroid monitoring.
Microsampling and LC-MS/MS for antidoping testing of glucocorticoids in urine — Protti et al., Bioanalysis (paywalled)
- urine
- dried
- vams
- validation
- hormones
- steroids
- doping
- toxicology
2020
A GC-MS/MS method for anabolic steroids in VAMS dried blood from finger pricking demonstrated good precision, accuracy and stability, with results agreeing with serum specimens. In a testosterone gel administration trial, dried blood total testosterone identified transdermal micro-dosing, with concentrations rising up to ten times baseline at nine hours post-application, supporting decentralised doping screening.
Determination of anabolic steroids in dried blood using microsampling and gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry: Application to a testosterone gel administration study — Chang et al., Journal of chromatography. A (paywalled)
- blood
- dried
- vams
- validation
- venous-agreement
- hormones
- doping
2020
The study validated a VAMS method for cocaine and metabolites in blood and plasma, achieving good extraction yield, precision and accuracy with analyte stability exceeding two months at room temperature. Results from VAMS correlated well with conventional fluid samples, supporting its use for decentralised forensic and toxicological monitoring without venepuncture or cold chain.
Blood and Plasma Volumetric Absorptive Microsampling (VAMS) Coupled to LC-MS/MS for the Forensic Assessment of Cocaine Consumption — Mandrioli et al., Molecules
- blood
- dried
- vams
- neoteryx-mitra
- validation
- doping
- toxicology
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