UCI Blood Study (2005)

Publication

UCI blood study with indications of blood doping

Zorzoli M.: Blood monitoring in anti-doping settings. In: W. Schänzer, H. Geyer, A. Gotzmann, U. Mareck (eds.). Recent advances in doping analysis (13). Sport Buch Strauß, Cologne, 2005, 255–264.

Abstract
We report some considerations regarding the potential use of simple hematological parameters, which are easy to measure, in the context of the fight against doping. These parameters, measured for each athlete, may be analyzed individually or, more effectively, viewed within the context of an individualized monitored trend, as defined by the concept of the hematological passport1. In the event of abnormal absolute values or abnormal trends, this should lead to targeted anti-doping testing of athletes exhibiting such results.
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Table 2 clearly shows how, starting in 2003, the proportion of athletes with low reticulocyte counts (<0.2% and <0.4%) increased significantly. Blood doping causes the oxygen content in the blood to rise after a blood transfusion and reduces the production of new red blood cells (erythrocytes). As a result, the number of reticulocytes (expressed as a percentage relative to the number of erythrocytes) decreases. This is a clear indication of blood doping.
Download Table 2 of the article "modified"