Journal Published Online: 06 April 2005
Volume 50, Issue 3

DNA Typing: An Accessory Evidence in Doping Control

CODEN: JFSCAS

Abstract

A clear positive case for anabolic steroids doping was confounded by alleged urine tampering during doping control procedures. Review of the chain of custody showed no flaws, but nevertheless the athlete was adamant that the urine sample should be analyzed for DNA in order to support her contention that she was not the donor of the sample. The results obtained showed that the urine sample that scored positive for steroids contained nuclear DNA that could not be matched to the DNA obtained from the athlete's blood. On the other hand, the same urine sample contained mitochondrial DNA whose nucleotide sequences spanning the hyper variable regions HV1 and HV2 proved to be identical to those determined in mitochondrial DNA amplified from the athlete's blood. The occurrence of an extraneous genotype is compatible with exogenous nuclear DNA admixture to the athlete's urine. Alternatively, taking in consideration the mitochondrial DNA, we could not exclude that a sibling or a maternal relative of the athlete could have acted as a donor of the urine utilized for doping control and DNA analysis. Both situations point to possible tampering of the urine by the athlete. Adjudication at CAS maintained previous national and international federation decision that there was no proof of a chain of custody flaw to justify the athlete's allegation of urine substitution after collection.

Author Information

Marques, MAS
LABDOP-LADETEC, Instituto de Química, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
Damasceno, LMP
LABDOP-LADETEC, Instituto de Química, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
Pereira, HMG
LABDOP-LADETEC, Instituto de Química, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
Caldeira, CM
Laboratório Sonda, Departamento de Bioquímica Médica ICB/CCS
Dias, BFP
Laboratório Sonda, Departamento de Bioquímica Médica ICB/CCS
de Giacomo Vargens, D
Laboratório Sonda, Departamento de Bioquímica Médica ICB/CCS
Amoedo, ND
Laboratório Sonda, Departamento de Bioquímica Médica ICB/CCS
Volkweis, RO
Laboratório Sonda, Departamento de Bioquímica Médica ICB/CCS
Viana, ROV
Laboratório Sonda, Departamento de Bioquímica Médica ICB/CCS
Rumjanek, FD
Laboratório Sonda, Departamento de Bioquímica Médica ICB/CCS
Neto, FRA
LABDOP-LADETEC, Instituto de Química, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
Pages: 6
Price: $25.00
Related
Reprints and Permissions
Reprints and copyright permissions can be requested through the
Copyright Clearance Center
Details
Stock #: JFS2004248
ISSN: 0022-1198
DOI: 10.1520/JFS2004248