Effect of estrus cycle, ovariectomy and lactation on variations of basal corticosterone levels or agression stress levels in rats
Audrain, M.; Beraud, G.; Lescoat, G.; Feliot, J.; Maniey, J.
Comptes Rendus des Seances de la Societe de Biologie et de ses Filiales 172(1): 33-37
1978
ISSN/ISBN: 0037-9026 PMID: 150898 Document Number: 124831
In the Rat, the estrous cycle induces a rhythm of plasmatic corticosterone level : the fluctuations of basal or stress corticosteronemy are significantly superior during the periods of high estradiol secretion, proestrus and estrus, that during metaestrus and diestrus. Ovariectomy, performed at 60 days of age, is without effect on resting corticosteronemy, but reduces significantly the response to stress. Weaning unaffects the basal level of plasmatic corticosterone which remains comparable to diestrus level ; however, stress response decreased during lactation returns to normal level at the end of the first ovarian cycle (diestrus).