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McGlll University, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Royal Victoria Hospital, Women's Pavilion, Montreal, Quebec H3A 1A1, Canada

(Received 26 July 1977)

Infusion of prostaglandin E₂ (PGE₂) into the carotid artery of the foetal lamb increases the concentration of cortisol in the foetal plasma (Louis, Challis, Robinson & Thorburn, 1976) even at stages of pregancy when the foetal adrenal gland is relatively insensitive to endogenous or exogenous adrenocorticotrophin (ACTH; Bassett & Thorburn, 1973; Boddy, Jones, Mantell, Ratcliffe & Robinson, 1974). We have now examined the site of this prostaglandin action in lambs aged 5–6 days, by which time closure of the ductus arteriosus is advanced (see Dawes, 1968), and pulmonary metabolism should separate the effects of prostaglandins administered into the brachiocephalic trunk or descending aorta.

The lambs used in this study were born spontaneously at full term. They were housed with their mothers except during experimental periods. Vascular catheterization with a