GLUCOCORTICOIDS AS DOPING AGENTS IN HOMING PIGEONS

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