29 research outputs found
Changes in cortisol and glucose concentrations in rabbits transported to the slaughterhouse
The effect of transport on Cortisol and Glucose serum concentrations were assessed in rabbits during summer and
winter. Animals were divided into high (HSA, 307 cm2/rabbit), medium (MSA, 373 cm2/rabbit) and low space
allowance (LSA, 475 cm2/rabbit) transport groups, and rabbits slaughtered directly in the farm were used as
control group (C). During summer, cortisol and glucose concentrations were significantly higher in HSA (high
space allowance), MSA and LSA than in C rabbits (P<0.01). LSA cortisol concentrations were significantly
lower than MSA and HSA samples and MSA rabbits\u2019 glycaemia was significantly higher (P<0.01) compared
with HSA animals. During winter, cortisol concentrations in group C were significantly lower than in MSA and
HSA groups. Glycaemia in group C was lower than in LSA (P<0.01) and HSA (P<0.02) groups. Cortisol and
glucose levels in summer were significantly higher than in winter. Our data clearly show that some stress-related
physiological parameters are significantly modified by transport, in particular in the case of overcrowded
transport crates