EFFECTS OF A BETA-2-ADRENERGIC AGONIST, CIMATEROL AND CORTICOSTERONE ON GROWTH AND CARCASS COMPOSITION OF MALE-RATS

1. Growth rate and carcass composition were measured in rats treated with cimaterol or vehicle only for 21 days, with corticosterone administered during the last 7 days of cimaterol or vehicle only treatment. 2. Cimaterol significantly stimulated the amount of protein in the carcass as well as gastrocnemius and plantaris muscles by 9-15%, and decreased carcass fat by 24%. 3. Corticosterone treatment significantly decreased protein in the carcass and soleus, plantaris and gastrocnemius muscles by 13-33%. 4. The catabolic effects of corticosterone on carcass and muscle protein were reduced by pretreatment with cimaterol, suggesting that beta-adrenergic agonists may have some potential use in preventing muscle wasting during stressed states.