MOLTING INHIBITION BY GLUCOCORTICOSTEROIDS IN PIGEONS

The unauthorized use of glucocorticoids, with the intention to improve the performances of racing pigeons artificially, may have serious con sequences for the pigeon medicine. To our knowledge no scientific data are available concerning the effects of long term use of glucocortico ids on the health status of the pigeon. It was the purpose of this stu dy to collect some clinical parameters using a simple experimental mod el of prolonged administration of glucocorticoids in pigeons. Using th is model it was possible to study some of the effects of these product s on the plumage. Several of the glucocorticoids tested inhibited regr owth of feathers. Affected feathers showed a characteristic pattern of alterations. These clinical effects were noted already at dosages far below those recommended for mammals. At autopsy it was found that mos t of the treated pigeons had histological alterations of the thyroid g lands.