Adrenalectomy of the Pregnant Rat and Behavior of the Offspring

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Abstract
Albino rats were adrenalectomized on either Day 10½ or Day 16½ of gestation. The offspring were reared by foster mothers. At 25, 30, 35, 40, or 45 days of age they were evaluated on the open field and timidity box tests. There were no behavioral or adrenal size differences among the offspring of adrenalectomized and sham-operated or unoperated control mothers. Consistent and significant sex differences on all measures were found, with females showing higher activity, greater emotionality, and larger adrenal glands than the males.