Pituitary-adrenal function in pseudopregnant rats.

Pseudopregnancy inhibited plasma corticosterone response to stress. The production of corticosterone by adrenal slices in vitro was also discussed; no changes in adrenal 5 alpha-reductase activity were observed. Secretion of corticosterone in the adrenal venous blood was decreased as well, without changes in dehydrocorticosterone or tetrahydrocorticosterone secretion rates.

Postnatal endocrine dysfunction resulting from prenatal exposure to carbofuran, diazinon or chlordane.

Prenatal exposure to pesticides of three different classes initiated persistent postnatal endocrine dysfunction. Adrenal function and hepatic metabolism of corticosterone were studied in adult hybrid mice exposed during development to either an organophosphate (Diazinon), a carbamate (Carbofuran), or an organochlorine (Chlordane). Animals were exposed to relatively low levels of the toxins in utero and neonatally via the mothers' milk.