Effect of in-house transport on murine plasma corticosterone concentration and blood lymphocyte population (1990)

Drozdowicz, C. K., Bowman, T. A., Webb, M. L. et al.

Abstract

A significant increase in plasma corticosterone concentration was seen in mice immediately after [in-house] transport. The normal circadian rhythm of plasma corticosterone concentration was altered for the subsequent 24-hour period. .. The .. acute increase in plasma corticosterone concentration was associated with alterations in the cellular components of the immune system. Result of the study indicated that routine in-house transport of laboratory mice should be considered a stressful stimulus. .. Therefore, in-house transport of laboratory animals should be viewed as an experimental variable to be controlled by the investigator.