Dopamine receptor modulation of corticosterone secretion in neonatal and adult rats

The effects of the dopamine agonist, pergolide, upon plasma corticosterone levels have been studied in 30 day old neonatal and adult rats. Dose-related elevations in corticosterone were observed at both ages and these elevations were blocked by the dopamine (D2) receptor antagonist spiperone. These studies demonstrate that dopaminergic neurochemical control of the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis exists in four week old rats in contrast to our previous studies which have shown opioid control to be absent at this age. It appears that neurochemical control of corticosterone is dissimilar in the neonate.