Targeted and untargeted profiling of biological fluids to screen for anabolic practices in cattle

This review deals with the potential of profiling approaches as valuable tools for combating the illegal use of growth promoters in cattle breeding. Detection of illegal practices classically relies on residue monitoring in a targeted approach and methods based on gas or liquid chromatography coupled to (tandem) mass spectrometry are considered state of the art. However, these strategies fail when faced with new xenobiotic growth-promoting agents or new ways of application, such as administration of low-dose cocktails. In this context, screening strategies allowing detection of the physiological response resulting from administration of anabolic compounds are promising approaches to detect misuse. Profiling biological matrices to reveal biological effects of a drug can be performed by targeting a particular class of compounds or in an untargeted way using global strategies, such as transcriptomics, proteomics or metabolomics. These emerging tactics are promising ways to highlight candidate biomarkers to tackle illegal practices.