EN
A simple and sensitive method was developed for determination of 17β-oestradiol and testosterone in bovine serum. The hormones were analysed and quantified as heptafluorobutyric anhydride derivatives by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry after extraction from serum without any cleanup step. The method was validated according to the requirements listed in the Commission Decision 2002/657/EC. Decision limit (CCα) and detection capability (CCβ) were based on the detection of the most abundant ion and the values: 0.011 µg L⁻¹ and 0.018 µg L⁻¹ for 17β-oestradiol were obtained, respectively . The repeatability for the validation level 0.040 µg L⁻¹ was 19.2% and within laboratory reproducibility - 25.8%. For testosterone, CCα and CCβ were 0.056 µg L⁻¹ and 0.096 µg L⁻¹ alternately with repeatability and reproducibility below 12%. The values of the detection limits of 17β-oestradiol and testosterone were found to be below the recommended concentration, set at 0.1 µg L⁻¹ and 0.5 µg L⁻¹, respectively. The method was successfully applied in the official control of hormone residues in Poland.