[Neonatal exposure to cortisol: disturbance of adrenal and reproductive system function in developing female rats]

A study was made of the effect of cortisol administration on the 5th day of postnatal life on the development of the sexual system and adrenal function in female rats. Neonatal treatment with cortisol at a dose of 250 micrograms was shown to cause delayed maturity and a decrease in sex receptivity. This treatment also caused a decrease in adrenal and ovarian secretion in vitro of corticosterone and progesterone by rats aged 30 days and a decrease in the blood level of corticosterone of maturing animals. It was assumed that sex developmental disorder was determined by chronic deficiency of blood corticosterone.