Optimal functioning of the hypothalamo–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis is paramount to
maximizing fitness in vertebrates. Research in laboratory mammals has suggested that
maternally-induced stress can cause significant variation in the responsiveness of an
offspring's HPA axis involving both pre-and post-natal developmental mechanisms.
However, very little is known regarding effects of maternal stress on the variability of
offspring adrenocortical functioning in free-living vertebrates. Here we use an experimental …

Plasticity in the adrenocortical response of a free-living vertebrate : The role of pre-and post-natal
developmental stress. Commentary … Plasticity in the adrenocortical response of a free-living
vertebrate : The role of pre-and post-natal developmental stress. Commentary … Stress
response …