The effects of apomorphine (0.05 mg/kg, i.p.) and cholecystokinin-8 (sulphated; CCK-8) were analyzed on the levels of dopamine and its metabolites using intrastriatal microdialysis in the adrenalectomized rat with or without corticosterone replacement treatment (5 mg/kg, twice daily for 7 days, last dose given 2 h before killing). Adrenalectomy did not affect the basal release of dopamine, 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC) or homovanillic acid (HVA). However, the apomorphine-induced decrease in dopamine release was attenuated following adrenalectomy. Furthermore, there was an enhancement of the apomorphine-induced decrease in DOPAC levels without any modulation of the apomorphine-induced effects on HVA levels. In contrast, the CCK-8-induced increase in dopamine levels was potentiated following adrenalectomy. This potentiation was fully counteracted by replacement treatment with corticosterone. These results indicate that corticosterone may be involved in the regulation of dopamine release, perhaps through glucocorticoid receptors in nigral dopamine cells controlling inter alia the synthesis of G-proteins involved in the regulation of dopamine autoreceptors and CCK-8 receptors located on dopamine nerve terminals or of the receptor proteins themselves.