The use of growth promoters to fatten cattle, once widespread, is now banned or strictly
regulated worldwide, with a view to protecting consumer health. The European Union, in particular, has
issued directives, regulations, and guidelines for controlling such substances. Immunoassays
(radioimmunoassays, ELISAs, biosensor assays) provide quick, sensitive, low-cost, and highthroughput
screening tools for detecting steroids, corticosteroids, and β-agonists in live animals and
meat. Their development has led, for instance, to eradication of the use of the dangerous compound
diethylstilbestrol. Current challenges include the growing number of growth-promoting “black market”
substances and the emergence of “cocktails” containing low levels of several mutually potentiating
compounds. New analytical approaches, such as immunochemical multiplexing or the development of
receptor-based assays, may contribute to meet these challenges.
Keywords: Antibodies, Immunoassays, Growth Hormones
