Postnatal dexamethasone (DEX) induced programmed hypertension in later life.
Maternal melatonin therapy prevented DEX-induced programmed hypertension.
Postnatal DEX decreased renal MT2 protein level, which melatonin prevented.
Melatonin therapy increased levels of RORα protein and melatonin in the kidney.
Postnatal DEX-induced programmed hypertension is related to melatonin receptors.