Recombinant bovine growth hormone (rbGH) is produced in large quantities and widely used in a number of countries worldwide to stimulate milk production in dairy animals. The use of this compound in animal production is strictly regulated by food safety directives in force, in particular in the European Union (EU). Although analytical strategies for the detection of rbGH in blood have been successfully reported over the past 15 years, they do not fully answer the expectations of either competent authorities or industrials that would expect measuring its occurrence directly in the milk. As a matrix of excretion but also of consumption, milk appears indeed as the matrix of choice for detecting the use of rbGH in dairy animals. It also allows large volumes to be collected without presenting an invasive character for the animal. However, rbGH detection in milk presents several challenges, mainly related to the sensitivity required for its detection in a complex biological matrix. This review article presents the specific difficulties associated with milk and provides an overview of the analytical strategies reported in the literature and whether they concern indirect or direct approaches to the detection of rbGH administration to animals, with applications either for screening or confirmation purposes.

Specific metabolomic/lipidomic features are associated with GDM postpartum outcomes. GDM-pregnant dams exhibit partial fatty acid oxidation and boosted gluconeogenesis. Resolution of postpartum IGT relies on nervonic acid-sphingomyelin, a β-cell protector. Postpartum IGT persistence suggests muscle insulin resistance and liver dysfunction.

Recombinant bovine growth hormone (rbGH or rbST) is a synthetic analogue of a natural hormone used to enhance growth and milk production in dairy cattle. While its use is authorised in some countries, it is strictly prohibited in Europe due to food safety issues and ethical concerns. Consequently, robust analytical strategies, including immunoassays and LC-MS/MS, are employed for its detection. In this study, we applied untargeted metabolomics and lipidomics profiling using liquid chromatography-high‑resolution mass spectrometry (LC‑HRMS) to investigate the systemic effects of rbGH administration. Urine and milk samples were collected from nine dairy cows over a time course covering multiple stages of rbGH treatment. Data pre-processing and feature extraction were performed using the Galaxy Workflow4metabolomics platform, and discriminant metabolites were selected through multivariate models based on variable importance in projection (VIP). Results showed that urine metabolomics revealed rapid perturbations in polar metabolites shortly after the first rbGH administration, while milk lipidomics highlighted more progressive and dynamic shifts in lipid composition. These findings demonstrate an early disruption of polar metabolism followed by slower reprogramming of lipid metabolism. This integrative LC‑HRMS approach provides new insights into the molecular consequences of rbGH exposure, contributing both to the development of refined biomarker strategies for monitoring unauthorised hormone use in livestock and to a better understanding of the intrinsic hazards associated with rbGH. By elucidating the biological pathways and metabolic disruptions involved, the study supports more informed chemical risk assessments and strengthens the scientific basis for evaluating potential adverse effects on animal health and food safety.