Determination of testosterone in serum by magnetic molecularly imprinted polymer-coupled nano-ESI-MS

Monitoring clinical biomarkers, such as testosterone in serum, is important for disease assessment. Due to the very low concentration of testosterone in serum, we have developed a new strategy for its enrichment in serum samples by magnetic molecularly imprinted polymers (MMIPs) technology and detection by nano-electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (Nano-ESI-MS). Testosterone was selectively extracted and enriched by the imprinted polymers on the surface of magnetic particles and the complex matrix was eliminated from the serum. The linear calibration curve was in the range of 0.1–10 μg/L and the limit of detection was 11.4 ng/L. The recovery and repeatability of the spiked serum were satisfactory. These results demonstrate that the proposed method is a promising approach for quantitative analysis of testosterone in serum.