Development of a method for the detection and confirmation of the alpha-2 agonist amitraz and its major metabolite in horse urine

J Anal Toxicol. 2004 Oct;28(7):553-62. doi: 10.1093/jat/28.7.553.

Abstract

Amitraz (N'-(2,4-dimethylphenyl)-N-[[(2,4-dimethylphenyl)imino]methyl]-N-methyl-methanimidamide) is an alpha-2 adrenergic agonist used in veterinary medicine primarily as a scabicide- or acaricide-type insecticide. As an alpha-2 adrenergic agonist, it also has sedative/tranquilizing properties and is, therefore, listed as an Association of Racing Commissioners International Class 3 Foreign Substance, indicating its potential to influence the outcome of horse races. We identified the principal equine metabolite of amitraz as N-2,4-dimethylphenyl-N'-methylformamidine by electrospray ionization(+)-mass spectrometry and developed a gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric (GC-MS) method for its detection, quantitation, and confirmation in performance horse regulation. The GC-MS method involves derivatization with t-butyldimethylsilyl groups; selected ion monitoring (SIM) of m/z 205 (quantifier ion), 278, 261, and 219 (qualifier ions); and elaboration of a calibration curve based on ion area ratios involving simultaneous SIM acquisition of an internal standard m/z 208 quantifier ion based on an in-house synthesized d(6) deuterated metabolite. The limit of detection of the method is approximately 5 ng/mL in urine and is sufficiently sensitive to detect the peak urinary metabolite at 1 h post dose, following administration of amitraz at a 75-mg/horse intravenous dose.

MeSH terms

  • Adrenergic alpha-Agonists / pharmacokinetics
  • Adrenergic alpha-Agonists / urine*
  • Amidines / chemical synthesis
  • Amidines / urine*
  • Animals
  • Female
  • Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry / methods
  • Horses / metabolism*
  • Horses / urine
  • Spectrometry, Mass, Electrospray Ionization
  • Substance Abuse Detection / veterinary*
  • Time Factors
  • Toluidines / pharmacokinetics
  • Toluidines / urine*

Substances

  • Adrenergic alpha-Agonists
  • Amidines
  • Toluidines
  • U 40481
  • amitraz