The effect of betamethasone on circadian and stress-induced pituitary-adrenocortical function in the rat.
1. Both the circadian and stress-induced changes in plasma corticosterone concentration were abolished by the inclusion of betamethasone in the drinking water of rats.2. Adrenal sensitivity to exogenous corticotrophin (ACTH) was unimpaired by the betamethasone treatment.3. The normal circadian rhythm in plasma corticosterone returned within 1 day of withdrawal of the steroid, but the response to stress was normal only after 3 days.4. The possible significance of these observations is discussed.
D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D001623:Betamethasone / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002940:Circadian Rhythm; D003345:Corticosterone / Q000097:blood; D003864:Depression, Chemical; D008297:Male; D010913:Pituitary-Adrenal System / Q000187:drug effects*; D051381:Rats; D013312:Stress, Physiological
D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone; D001623:Betamethasone; D003345:Corticosterone