Abstract In order to investigate the role of the basolateral amygdala on secretion of the adenohypophyseal hormones, the basolateral amygdala was electrically stimulated for 10 min through a chronically implanted electrode in the pentobarbital-anesthetized adult male rat. Blood samples were withdrawn through a Silastic cannula implanted in the right atrium. Electrical stimulation of the basolateral amygdala increased plasma growth hormone, decreased plasma follicle-stimulating hormone and suppressed the increase in plasma adrenocorticotropin. Plasma prolactin, thyroid-stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone were not significantly changed. These results indicate that electrical stimulation of the basolateral amygdala in the pentobarbital-anesthetized adult male rat causes a simultaneous change in secretion of several adenohypophyseal hormones.