We tested the hypothesis that perinatal asphyxia (PA) augments adult hyperemotionality and increases corticosterone (CORT) release. Term fetuses were exposed to PA (12 min) by occluding (OCCL) the arteries feeding one uterine horn. Control subjects were derived from the opposite, non-occluded (N-OCCL) horn, and from Vaginal delivery groups. Newborn pups were fostered to newly parturient dams. Adult male and female rats were singly housed for 24hr, placed in an open field and videographed for the duration of a 52min novelty test comprised of a concatenation of novel environmental stimuli including exposure to the open field, sustained darkness, presentation of a novel object, startle stimuli, introduction of an unfamiliar same-gender intruder, and punctate acoustic stimuli. As compared to controls, OCCL adult rats showed a tendency to spend time near the wall rather than the center of the arena (thigmotaxis). Approaches to a novel object were slower in OCCL offspring relative to controls. Behavioral testing was associated with a significant increase in CORT, with greater magnitudes of response in OCCL offspring. Collectively, our findings provide clear evidence for magnified emotional responses and HPAA activity in response to novelty in adult offspring exposed to PA.