ABSTRACT
In this chapter, the authors review the development of corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) receptors and CRF messenger ribonucleic acid in the rat brain. They describe some unique behavioral effects of CRF in development. The authors present some preliminary results regarding possible organizational effects of CRF. To localize CRF receptors through ontogeny, they use in vitro receptor autoradiography. The most striking effect of repeated CRF administration was in growth and development. Long-term consequences of neonatal CRF administration were studied in several ways. In an open field arena, adults treated with CRF as pups showed increased exploration compared to saline, or dexamethasone treated controls. As data accumulate documenting alterations in brain CRF content or receptors in several human disease states, the study of the development of CRF pathways and the process by which their sensitivity becomes regulated during development takes on increasing importance.
