The duration of capture and restraint during anesthesia and euthanasia influences glucocorticoid levels in male golden hamsters (2007)

Gebhardt-Henrich, S. G., Fischer, K., Hauzenberger, A. R. et al.

Abstract

Since the stress response of the HPA is sensitive to many unwanted and uncontrollable factors, these results must be interpreted with caution. The positive effect of deep bedding could be diminished by methodological problems during handling at the time that stress hormones were sampled. The fact that adrenal gland weight does not vary indicates that chronic stress levels are probably not elevated in hamsters housed in deep bedding.