Dear Colleagues,

Sports performance, meat, and milk production are greatly improved by the use of growth promoters in animals. In sports competitions, the use of anabolics is widely prohibited. Medical ethics and potential health risks for athletes have led to this practice being considered unacceptable. In animal production, some countries, such as those in the European Union, prohibit its use, while others, such as the United States, still allow it. Concern for public health remains a matter of debate and the issue is controversial. The European Union decided the ban based on the precautionary principle. Since then, a great deal of research and publications have been produced to study the effect of these molecules on organisms, and in particular how to detect treated animals. Research involves classical disciplines and innovative methods, including chemistry, pathology, pharmacology, and omics techniques. This Special Issue aims to provide readers with an update on the results of the different approaches to this topic, from morphological and biomarker alteration to the residues and metabolites generated by the activity of growth promoters, with the final aim of preventing the phenomenon.

Prof. Dr. Francesca Tiziana Cannizzo
Guest Editor

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• anabolic
• growth promoters
• animal competition
• zootechnical performance
• biomarker
• drug metabolite