Dexamethasone-induced alterations in glucose tolerance and, insulin, glucagon and adrenaline responses during the first month in White Leghorn chicks.

1. Alterations in glucose tolerance and, insulin, glucagon and adrenaline responses in dexamethasone (DXM)-treated (induced hypocorticalism) chicks have been evaluated chronologically during the first month of development of White Leghorn chicks. 2. Alterations in glucose tolerance and, insulin resistance and glucagon and adrenaline responses in dexamethasonised chicks were recorded. Control chicks too displayed differential glucose tolerance and, insulin, glucagon and adrenaline responses on a chronological basis. 3. The observations suggest increased insulin and adrenaline sensitivity in the first fortnight and gradually increasing glucagon response in the second fortnight in neonatal chicks. 4. Furthermore, increased insulin sensitivity and attenuated glucagon responsiveness was also associated with DXM-induced hypocorticalism.