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. Author manuscript; available in PMC: 2016 Jan 27.
Published in final edited form as: J Anal Toxicol. 2011 Nov;35(9):594–607. doi: 10.1093/anatox/35.9.594

Table I.

Comparison of Biological hAR Assays and Chromatography–MS Methods

Bioassay Chromatography–MS
Endogenous steroids detected Yes Yes
Unknown steroids detected Yes No
Supraphysiological levels
of steroids detected		 Yes Yes
Detection of multi-drug abuse Yes Yes (if all are known)
Chemical structure determination No Yes
Metabolites (active) Yes (known or unknown) Yes (if known)
Metabolites (inactive) No Yes (if known)
Sensitivity Excellent Excellent only with
last generation
instrumentation
Time for completion of assay 6 h up to 2 days < 6 h
Cost Economical Expensive
Drug-drug interaction
assessment		 Yes, with the use of
competitive binders and
antagonists		 No