Functional activity of the adrenal cortex in fetal and neonatal rabbits under normal conditions and during inhibition of the gestation dominant

The content of lipids, cholesterol, and ascorbic acid was investigated in fetuses developing during normal pregnancy and in physiologically mature newborn rabbits, and also in fetuses developing during inhibition of the gestation dominant and in physiologically immature newborn rabbits. The results showed that in the first group the functional state of the adrenal cortex was activated, as shown by a low content of lipids, cholesterol, and ascorbic acid. In a state of increased adaptive motor responses the content of these substances was reduced still further. In the second group (physiological immaturity) their content was considerably increased. It is concluded that normal antenatal development is possible during exposure to natural physiological stress.