Achieving routine application of dried blood spots for erythropoietin receptor agonist analysis in doping control: low-volume single-spot detection at minimum required performance level.

Background: Erythropoietin receptor agonists (ERAs) are substances prohibited in sports and currently monitored in urine and blood. There is a great interest in new matrices like dried blood spots (DBSs). Method: A direct method for the detection of ERAs in DBSs using one single spot of 25 µl has been optimized and validated. Results: Limits of detection close or equal to those required by the World Anti-Doping Agency for serum/plasma samples were achieved, using a volume 20-times lower. All analytes were stable for at least 90 days at room temperature. Conclusion: Method performance was comparable to the requirements established for blood samples and, thus, monitoring of ERAs is reliable in DBSs in the context of doping control.