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

Lab Animal volume 36, pages 41–46 (2007)Cite this article

Abstract

Deep litter has been shown to decrease stereotypic wire-gnawing in male golden hamsters, suggesting that increased litter depth may be associated with decreased chronic stress levels. To determine the relationship between litter depth and stress levels in hamsters, the authors measured serum levels of corticosterone, cortisol, and ACTH in male golden hamsters kept in cages with three different depths of litter. The duration of handling the hamsters significantly increased the concentrations of corticosterone, cortisol, and the ratio of cortisol/corticosterone. It took longer to catch hamsters housed in cages with deep litter and the ACTH levels were higher in these hamsters. The positive effect of the enrichment (deep litter) was diminished by methodological problems during handling/anesthesia.

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Figure 1: Empty experimental cage with an insert of Perspex (for deep bedding).
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Acknowledgements

Comments of Edna Hillmann and Daniel Boesch on an earlier version greatly improved the manuscript. This project was supported by the Swiss Federal Veterinary Office (No. 973.254. 2.01.02). The results are based on the dissertation “The Influence of Bedding Depth on Behavior in Golden Hamsters (Mesocricetus auratus)” by A.H., Vetsuisse Faculty Bern, Switzerland, 2005.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Centre for Proper Housing of Poultry and Rabbits (ZTHZ), Federal Veterinary Office (FVO), Burgerweg 22, Zollikofen, CH-3052, Switzerland

    Sabine G. Gebhardt-Henrich

  2. Division of Animal Housing and Welfare, Vetsuisse Faculty Bern, PO Box, Bern, CH-3001, Switzerland

    Katerina Fischer,  Andrina R. Hauzenberger,  Petra Keller &  Andreas Steiger

Authors
  1. Sabine G. Gebhardt-Henrich
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  2. Katerina Fischer
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  3. Andrina R. Hauzenberger
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  4. Petra Keller
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  5. Andreas Steiger
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Correspondence to Sabine G. Gebhardt-Henrich.

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Gebhardt-Henrich, S., Fischer, K., Hauzenberger, A. et al. The duration of capture and restraint during anesthesia and euthanasia influences glucocorticoid levels in male golden hamsters. Lab Anim 36, 41–46 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1038/laban0407-41

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