Nature et importance des pertes de poids consécutives à la contention chez le rat en croissance

Abstract

National audienceFrom general considerations on pig farming, we have noted the experimental advantage presented by the analogy between the pig and the rat concerning the reaction to restraint stress. This sort of stress undergone during transportation results in an appreciable increase in the weight loss in pigs and the purpose of this study was to show that the same applies to the rat. By direct weighing in one hand and by measurement of the gaseous exchanges between the animal and its surroundings atmosphere in the other hand, we observed an increase of a4gbout p. 1 00 in the weight loss after 3 hours restraint. 9 -080 p. ioo was due to the cutaneous and respiratory emission of water vapour, the remainder was due to the difference between the weight of carbonic gas expired and that of oxygen inspired. Over a 7-hour period of stress the intake of oxygen increased by 06 p. 1 00 whereas the respiratory quotient decreased more rapidly than in rats not restrained. These results are discussed with relation to the various metabolism involved in stress reaction