Understanding Reproductive Processes through Steroid Hormone Panel Analysis by LC-MS/MS

David W. Erikson, Ph.D.
Director, Endocrine Technologies Core
Oregon National Primate Research Center

Advancing knowledge of reproductive processes and fetal/neonatal development is critical in order to ensure optimal maternal and fetal health, and to improve or control fertility. Interdisciplinary research is needed to understand these processes, and to improve the diagnosis and treatment of reproductive disorders. In addition, unintended pregnancy rates have remained high over the last three decades, due in part to lack of access to contraceptives, as well as non-compliance and non-use of contraception. These reproductive health issues impact quality of life, and further advances in understanding these issues through state-of-the-art research are needed to improve maternal-fetal and neonatal health. The Endocrine Technologies Core (ETC) at Oregon National Primate Research Center (ONPRC) offers assay platforms to help advance research directed at better understanding reproductive processes and associated health issues. Using state-of-the-art platforms such as liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) we are able to measure targeted panels of endogenous steroid hormones and synthetic contraceptive hormones in humans and nonhuman primates. This presentation will focus on how our lab uses a Shimadzu Nexera-LCMS-8050 LC-MS/MS platform across several projects in the field of reproductive biology. We will discuss application of LC-MS/MS methods to determine hormonal contraceptive use among African women with and at risk for HIV, and to measure steroid hormone levels in serum (blood) and follicular fluid obtained from nonhuman primates with polycystic ovary syndrome. A description of the analytical methods and some of the challenges presented by LC-MS/MS analysis of steroid hormones will be presented. Supported by NIH P51OD011092.