Stress response of rats to handling and experimental procedures (1980)

Gartner, K., Buttner, D., Dohler, R. et al.

Abstract

Serum corticosterone levels increased significantly within four minutes, reached a peak at 15 minutes and were back to control values 60 minutes after cage displacement. Prolactin, TSH, LH and FSH serum concentrations were also affected by cage movement. The results support the conclusion that rats are not disturbed by the presence of people with whom they are familiar, such as the usual animal attendant for that room, if they do not touch the cage. [p. 269]