a, Expression of α1bADR mRNA in PVN after bilateral adrenalectomy (ADX) with low (10 mg) or high (50 mg) corticosterone replacement. Data are expressed as integrated optical density (arbitrary units). *p < 0.05, **p < 0.01 compared with sham group; †p < 0.05, †††p < 0.001 compared with ADX group; ##p < 0.01 compared with ADX plus 10 group; Student–Newman–Keuls post hocmultiple comparisons test. b, Correlation analysis (Pearson; all groups, r2 = 0.638; p < 0.001; ADX plus 10 mg group,r2 = 0.717;p < 0.05) between levels of α1b ADR mRNA in PVN and plasma corticosterone at time of killing, after bilateral adrenalectomy with corticosterone replacement (0, 10, or 50 mg, s.c.) for 7 d.