GLUCOCORTICOIDS AS DOPING AGENTS IN HOMIN G PIGEONS

Different commercially available glucocorticoids that could be used to dope racing pigeons have been evaluated using zootechnical and biolog ical parameters.The influence of these corticosteroids on blood values have been investigated. Toxicity of triamcinolone diacetate varied pr oportionally to injected doses and the main effects observed were lymp hoid tissue alterations, muscular atrophy with breast muscles fibers v acuolation, fatty degeneration of liver and kidneys, hypoplasia or atr ophy of gonads, and, in the blood, a significant increase of calcium a nd triglycerides levels. Prednisolone acetate in ocular drops was less toxic than dexemathasone and fluocinolone acetonide. The type of cort icoids also had an influence on hemoglobin, glucose, and creatinine le vels. The inhibition of the molt was also observed and varied with the sort of product used.