DIRECTOR General of the World Anti-Doping Agency David Howman hopes an improved test for Human Growth Hormone (HGH) will come on stream within the next seven months as his organization tries to close the net on drug cheats.
The current blood test for HGH, which was introduced at the 2004 Olympic in Athens, can only detect the substance up to 96 hours after its use.
According to WADA, human growth hormone, which is naturally produced by the body, is known to act on many aspects of cellular metabolism and is also necessary for skeletal growth in humans.
"The major role of HGH in body growth is to stimulate the liver and other tissues to secrete insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1). IGF-1 stimulates production of cartilage cells, resulting in bone growth and also plays a key role in muscle and organ growth," the WADA website, www.wada-ama.org, states.
Howman conceded that the current test for HGH, which is prohibited both in- and out-of-competition under WADA's List of Prohibited Substances and Methods, is too imperfect.
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