Neonatal aldosterone administration alters later response to adrenalectomy and aldosterone infusion in the rat.

Juvenile and adult infusions of mineralocorticoids promote weight gains in rats. However, nothing is known about the effects of very early administration. As such treatments often bring about enduring changes, we examined the impact of neonatal (days 1-5 of life), followed by early adult (days 45-57 of life), administration of aldosterone (ALDO) on the weight gains of free-fed rats. Analysis revealed that neonatal ALDO exposure altered the pattern of weight gain during the later period. Specifically, acute neonatal exposure increased weight gain in adrenalectomized young adult rats. At the same time, it appeared to reduce the effects of chronic ALDO exposure in these animals.