The Brown Norway rat displays enhanced stress-induced ACTH reactivity at day 18 after 24-h maternal deprivation at day 3

• Published in: Brain research. Developmental brain research Vol. 103; no. 2; pp. 199 - 203
• Main Authors: Workel, Judith O, Oitzl, Melly S, Ledeboer, Annemarie, de Kloet, E.Ronald
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier B.V 12.11.1997
• Subjects: ACTH; Adrenal Cortex Hormones - biosynthesis; Adrenal Glands - anatomy & histology; Adrenal Glands - growth & development; Adrenocorticotropic Hormone - blood; Adrenocorticotropic Hormone - metabolism; Aging; Aging - physiology; Animals; Animals, Newborn; Body Weight; Brain - growth & development; Brain - metabolism; Brain - physiopathology; Brown Norway; Corticosterone; Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone - biosynthesis; Maternal Deprivation; Rat; Rats; Rats, Inbred BN; Receptors, Steroid - biosynthesis; RNA, Messenger - biosynthesis; Stress, Psychological - blood; Stress, Psychological - physiopathology; Stress-hyporesponsive period; Transcription, Genetic; Rat; Corticosterone; Brown Norway; Aging; ACTH; Maternal deprivation; Stress-hyporesponsive period
• ISSN: 0165-3806
• DOI: 10.1016/S0165-3806(97)81796-8

The effect of a 24-h maternal deprivation at day 3 was studied on the hypothalamus–pituitary–adrenal axis of 18-day-old Brown Norway pups, whose stress-hyporesponsive period is similar to other rat strains. Deprivation resulted at day 18 in reduced basal ACTH levels. The rate of onset and the duration of stress-induced ACTH release were enhanced. CRH mRNA, brain corticosteroid mRNA levels and corticosterone receptor levels were not affected by deprivation, but adrenal weight was increased. It is concluded that maternal deprivation has persistently diminished adrenocortical function in containment of the ACTH response to stress.