Effect of environmental enrichment on stress related systems in rats (2004)

Moncek, F., Duncko, R., Johansson, B. B. et al.

Abstract

Environmental enrichment leads to pronounced changes in neuroendocrine regulation, including larger adrenals and increased adrenocortical function, which are so far considered to be indication of chronic stress.Animal living in groups of 10 in enriched cages had higher resting corticosterone concentrations than animals living in groups of 3-4 in barren standard cages.