[The role of glucocorticoids in a modification of the hypothalamo-hypophyseal-adrenal cortical function of rats induced by stress exposures in early ontogeny].

In the rat litter, saline injections during stress-hyporesponsive period induced long-lasting changes in the function of the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenocortical system. As adults, the rats revealed increased basal and decreased emotional stress-induced levels of the plasma corticosterone and a disorder in the adrenocortical diurnal rhythm. Hydrocortisone injections prevented the long-lasting effects of the stress. The glycocorticoid deficiency during stress seems to mediate the long-lasting effects.