Comparative study of the effect of glucocorticoids on nitrogen metabolism in adult male and non-laying female quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica)

Abstract

The effects of glucocorticoids on nitrogen metabolism have been studied in three different groups of quail: a) control animals; b) quail treated with cortisol; c) quail treated with corticosterone.All the experiments were carried out in adult male and non-laying female animals.During the 7 day period that the experiments lasted, hormones were administered daily by via oral at 4 mg/100 g body weight/7 day doses.While body weight, food intake, nitrogen balance and liver weight, in the treated animals stayed under the values of the control group, in both males and females, their uric acid excretion and hepatic glycogen were always higher.Values, in general, were similar for both males and females.