Comparison of stress induced in rats by four different anaesthetic regimens as recorded by urinary concentrations of corticosterone and testosterone

Abstract

Glucocorticoid levels in body fluids are frequently used as indicators of stress. Corticosterone is the major glucocortieosteroid secreted in laboratory rodents. Urinary concentrations of eorticosterone were measured as indicators of stress induced in rats by four different anaesthetic regimens. Testostemne levels were also measured, as a potential stress parameter.
Three of the four anaesthetic regimens used resulted in increased urine levels of eorticosterone. Elevated levels of testosterone were only observed in one of the treatments.
In conclusion, eorticosterone may be a useful indicator of stress associated with anaesthetic regimens in rats. However testosterone does not seem to be as sensitive a parameter as eorticosterone but it may prove to be a useful supplement.