[Genetic and ontogenetic variability in the noradrenergic regulation of adrenocortical function].

Corticosterone levels in the blood under restriction positively correlated with the hormone response to i.c.v. norepinephrine injection in 7 genetic groups of rats. Reactions to stress and norepinephrine simultaneously decreased in adult rats after prenatal glucocorticoid treatment. Prenatal stress or corticosterone treatment have a lasting effect on typosine hydroxylase (TH) activity and adrenoligands binding in the mice brain. Prenatal treatment increased TH activity in the noradrenergic system of the brain and decreased binding of radiolabelled prazosin, clonidine and dihydroalprenolol in some brain regions as well as stress reaction in mice. Thus, individual variations in adrenocortical stress response may be related to the differences in the function of the brain noradrenergic system.