Integration of steroids analysis in serum using LC-MS/MS with full-automated sample preparation

Currently sample preparation for the detection of steroids in serum by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) involves complex offline extraction methods such as solid phase extraction or liquid/liquid extraction, all of which require additional sample concentration and reconstitution in an appropriate solvent. These sample preparation methods are time-consuming, often taking 1 hour or more per sample, and are more vulnerable to variability due to errors in manual preparation. Our approach to offering a high sensitivity steroid detection method and timely, automated analysis of multiple samples is to use the automated sample preparation system coupled to the detection capabilities of a high-sensitivity triple stage quadrupole mass spectrometer.