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Abstract
The adrenalectomy-induced decrease in the level of immobility during a 5 min retest
period in the Porsolt swimming test could be reversed by glucocorticoids administered
s.c. 15 min after the initial forced swimming exposure. The synthetic glucocorticoids
dexamethasone and RU 28362 were active in the microgram dose range while corticosterone
was only active at a 500 times higher dose. Aldosterone and progesterone were both
ineffective. Treatment of adrenalectomized rats with the synthetic antiglucocorticoid
RU 38486 prior to dexamethasone administration dose dependently blocked the effect
of the glucocorticoid. Intact rats treated with the antiglucocorticoid RU 38486 prior
to the initial forced swimming exposure behaved like adrenalectomized animals during
the 5 min retest period. Removal of the adrenal medulla only temporarily impaired
swimming behavior. It is concluded that intact adrenocortical secretion of glucocorticoids
is sufficient for retention of acquired immobility during forced swimming.