The effects of long-duration, low-temperature ground transportation on physiological and biochemical indicators of stress in mice

Lab Anim (NY). 2008 Mar;37(3):121-6. doi: 10.1038/laban0308-121.

Abstract

Transportation can cause stress to laboratory animals and alter physiological characteristics that may confound experimental results. The authors investigated stress-related effects of 3-4 h of transportation by truck in two strains of mice (C57BL/6, which are known to be aggressive, and ICR, which are less aggressive). Transported mice had sufficient space and access to water, though temperature in the truck was lower than what is usually recommended. Transportation affected the following parameters in both strains of mice: (i) serum corticosterone concentrations, (ii) expression of the chaperone proteins Hsp70 and Grp78 in various tissues and (iii) concentrations of serological enzymes that are associated with liver disease. These parameters also differed substantially between the two strains of mice.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animal Husbandry*
  • Animals
  • Behavior, Animal
  • Cold Temperature / adverse effects*
  • Corticosterone / blood
  • Endoplasmic Reticulum Chaperone BiP
  • Environment*
  • Enzymes / blood
  • HSP70 Heat-Shock Proteins / metabolism
  • Heat-Shock Proteins / metabolism
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice, Inbred ICR
  • Molecular Chaperones / metabolism
  • Stress, Psychological / blood*
  • Stress, Psychological / physiopathology
  • Time Factors
  • Transportation

Substances

  • Endoplasmic Reticulum Chaperone BiP
  • Enzymes
  • HSP70 Heat-Shock Proteins
  • Heat-Shock Proteins
  • Hspa5 protein, mouse
  • Molecular Chaperones
  • Corticosterone