Changes in the adrenal steroidogenic responsiveness of the mallard duck (Anas platyrhynchos) during early post-natal development

1. Plasma concentrations of corticosterone (B), aldosterone (Aldo) and deoxycorticosterone (DOC) were measured in mallard ducklings immediately before and after exposure to acute immobilization stress. 2. Except for transient declines in B and DOC between the 4th and 14th days after hatching, the resting concentration of each hormone did not change significantly during post-natal development. 3. The stress-induced in Aldo was maximal at hatching while maximal increases in B and DOC did not occur until one day later. 4. Thereafter the magnitude of the stress-induced increases in the concentrations of all of the hormones decreased steadily and on the 21st and 28th days after hatching only B increased significantly in response to stress.