biomarkers (PED testing)
What do you think about this?
I do not have competence in drug testing, I don't have an understanding of the extent of drug testing that is currently in practice. Some of this may be incorrect information.
Undetectable Performance Enhancing Drugs or 'PEDs' are often NOT what we see tested for, and not substances that we see occasional disqualifications. These are not the 'overages' things.
Often these drugs are metabolized out of the system by raceday. Some are tested for which creates a requirement of the vet/owner/orTrainer administering the substance in a dosage 'window' that allows significant performance enhancement without failing the test. Some are not even tested for.
However, many of the substances that increase performance do leave behind 'biomarkers'.
They leave levels in the horse that are higher than a reasonable 'natural' state.
I'm not competent in this area, but I can say that the blood doping can result in things like hemoglobin levels. The steroids and hormones can rase a number of things one example being called the 't/e' (testosterone/epitestosterone) levels..., there's something used in PED testing called the 'miRNA signature' that apparently shows a different gene? expression, thyroid drugs have biomarkers, the stimulants, etc...
In general, most of the stuff that enhances performance does so in a significant process which leaves biomarkers and metabolites at levels and in a 'heavy use' program these are often outside of the natural range.
There's leaders and players who want doping for various reason, others who don't believe doping is happening, others who don't want to rock the boa or don't want change.
The elephant in the room with such testing would seem to be 'Cost'. It is likely too expensive.
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