LC-MS as a method for non-invasive measurement of steroid hormones and their metabolites in urine and faeces of animals

Summary This review presents the technique of liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS). It briey outlines how LC-MS works, its different func- tions, the different types of instruments available, the applications with which it is mainly used and the costs involved. In particular, it highlights the effective- ness of LC-MS in measuring steroids and empha- sizes its usefulness in measuring steroids non- invasively in animals, from matrices such as urine and faeces. The advantages and disadvantages of LC-MS in comparison to other methods of steroid analysis such as immunoassays and gas chromato- graphy-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) are discussed. Schlusselworter: Review, Steroidhormone, biologi- sche Flussigkeiten, nicht invasive Bestimmung, LC-MS.