Milković K, Romić R, Paunović J, Milković S
Endocrinology. 1975 May;96(5):1297-9. doi: 10.1210/endo-96-5-1297.
Plasma corticosterone concentrations were measured following adrenalectomy of pregnant rats on the last day of gestation. Plasma corticosterone concentrations decreased 40 and 60 min after adrenalectomy by 36 and 32%, respectively, and regained the preoperative concentration 2 h following operation. When the fetuses were injected with an inhibitor of 11beta-steroid hydroxylase (Su4885) plasma corticosterone concentrations decreased 40, 60 and 120 min following adrenalectomy by 63, 67 and 71%, respectively. The results strongly suggest that the fetal adrenal glands are the source of plasma corticosterone in adrenalectomized pregnant rats.