High-performance liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry of steroids (Review)

Abstract

An overview of high-performance liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC/MS) of steroids is presented according to groups of steroids. LC/MS is now considered to be the most promising analytical method for the determination of steroids (especially the conjugated type) in biological fluids without derivatization. However, due to its low sensitivity compared with gas chromatography/MS, some skilful techniques, including derivatization, are necessary to overcome this problem. An overview of the ionization methods of LC/MS is also presented.