title: Effects of shipping on the immune function in mice.
abstract: The effect of shipping stress on immunologic functions was examined in mice. The mice were shipped either by truck or by plane, 2 of the most common modes for transport of animals. While mice were in transit, temperature fluctuations and light intensity were monitored. The foot pad test, hemagglutination assay, and plaque-forming cell assay were used to measure immunologic function. Corticosterone concentrations were quantitated with a competitive protein-binding technique. Regardless of the method of shipment, corticosterone values in the mice were markedly increased at arrival and remained at the high value for a 48-hour period. Immune-function assays were significantly lessened in the mice at arrival, but returned to base line within 48 hours, indicating that a minimum 48-hour stabilization period is required for all new arrivals.
mesh_terms: D000822:Animal Husbandry; D000818:Animals; D003345:Corticosterone / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice / Q000276:immunology*; D012376:Rodent Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology*; D013312:Stress, Physiological / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology / Q000662:veterinary*; D014186:Transportation
chemical_list: D003345:Corticosterone