The ABCs of Drug Testing Travis Mays Section Head Analytical Chemistry (Drug Testing & Toxicology)

The Evolution of Drug Testing

Testing Methodologies Thin Layer Chromatography (TLC) Poor sensitivity An art to the science Masking Agents Time consuming Testing Methodologies

Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) Improved sensitivity Cross-reactivity Expensive

Mass Spectrometry (LC/MS and GC/MS) Better sensitivity Accurate identification by mass Large drug libraries More automation

Livestock Show Drug Testing

Livestock Show Drug Testing ~60 shows/fairs in TX, including all Majors ~18 out of state shows (OK, NM, KS, MN, NE, LA, ND, MS, AZ, KY, TN, IN, GA, ID, MO, UT) >3,500 samples annually

Drug Classes Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) Growth Promoting Drugs Steroids Stimulants Analgesics Sedatives/Tranquilizers Antipsychotics Muscle Relaxers Antidepressants Illicit Drugs (Drugs of Abuse) Anticonvulsants

Testing Overview

How Drug Testing is Conducted Screening Sample aliquot is extracted to isolate and concentrate target compound(s) The extract is screened by LC-MS Sample is either negative or suspicious If suspicious, sample undergoes confirmation testing

Screening

Screening

How Drug Testing is Conducted Confirmation A new aliquot is extracted targeting the suspicious drug(s) The extract is analyzed using LC-MS/MS If confirmed, the sample is reported as a positive finding

Confirmation

Screening LC/MS LC/MS/MS

Quantitative Testing We can provide drug concentrations for samples reported as positive Sample volume: Must have minimum amount required Used primarily for therapeutic drugs Interpretation What does the level indicate? Currently no published data to provide interpretation Future research projects pending

Sample Matrix Options Urine (20cc minimum) Serum/Plasma (5cc minimum) Feces – Poultry (*rabbits) (5g minimum) Retina Tissue – Beta-agonists (one intact, frozen eye) Tissue (20g minimum) Liver Muscle Kidney

Urine vs. Serum Urine Serum/Plasma What has the animal recently been exposed to (hours to days) Can detect metabolites More difficult to collect Serum/Plasma What is in the animal’s system at the time the sample was collected Lose ability to detect some metabolites Lose sensitivity for some drugs Easier to collect

Fee Structure Accession fee - $6 (per submission) Cost of testing (urine and serum/plasma) - $70 Quantitation – Additional $70 Retinas - $140 Tissue - $70 Turn-around Time – 5 to 10 business days May require an additional 1-3 days for quantitative testing

Submitting a Sample Order supplies in advance 120mL sterile urine cups @ $0.40/ea. Evidence tape @ $13.05/box

Chain of Custody

Split Sample Testing Split samples are collected and retained by the show (maintain chain of custody) If a sample is reported as Positive: The show will have the split sample tested at an independent lab OR The show will allow the owner to request a split sample test if not already performed by the show Can be expensive (~$500-$1,000)

Questions?? Travis Mays tmays@tvmdl.tamu.edu 979-845-3414