The content of fructose 2,6-bisphosphate (Fru(2,6)P2) and lactate production in triamcinolone acetonide-treated rats thymocytes was studied. The effect in vitro of corticosterone and dexamethasone on normal thymocytes was also examined. Glucocorticoids produced a marked decrease in Fru(2,5)P2 content and lactate production. The largest effect was observed with triamcinolone acetonide (7.5 mg per kg body weight), which after 20 h of treatment produced over 90% of inhibition. This change was accompanied by the decrease of both phosphofructokinase-1 and -2 activities and ATP levels, without modifications of hexoses phosphate content. The inhibitory actions of glucocorticoids were abolished by cycloheximide, an inhibitor of protein synthesis. Furthermore this drug, by itself, increased Fru(2,6)P2 content by more than 50% compared with the controls.