Λεπτομέρειες βιβλιογραφικής εγγραφής
| Τίτλος: |
Infrared Thermal Imaging and Blood and Faecal Cortisol Measurements for Stress Assessment in Rabbits During Blood Sampling. |
| Συγγραφείς: |
Doležalová, Jana1 (AUTHOR), Kadlecová, Gabriela2 (AUTHOR), Jekl, Vladimír3 (AUTHOR), Šebánková, Monika2,4 (AUTHOR), Jeklová, Edita4,5 (AUTHOR), Jánová, Eva5,6 (AUTHOR), Bakulová, Petra1 (AUTHOR), Voslářová, Eva2 (AUTHOR), Řeháková, Kristýna3,6 (AUTHOR), Tomiczková, Zuzana3,4 (AUTHOR), Chloupek, Jan3,5 (AUTHOR) chloupekj@vfu.cz |
| Πηγή: |
Animals (2076-2615). Sep2026, Vol. 16 Issue 17, p2731. 15p. |
| Θεματικοί όροι: |
*Blood sampling, *Physiological stress, *Rabbits, *Glucocorticoids, *Patient monitoring, *Stress management, *Infrared imaging, *Animal welfare |
| Περίληψη: |
Simple Summary: Laboratory rabbits are widely used in biomedical research, and routine procedures such as handling and blood collection may induce physiological stress responses that affect animal welfare and experimental outcomes. This study investigated the effects of repeated blood collection on stress-related physiological responses in rabbits and whether non-handled rabbits housed in the same room also exhibited measurable changes. Sixteen rabbits were included. Eight animals underwent repeated blood collection over 5 h, while eight non-handled control rabbits remained in the same room. Physiological responses were assessed using infrared thermography to measure periocular surface temperature, serum cortisol in the experimental group, and faecal cortisol metabolites in both groups. Rabbits subjected to repeated blood collection showed rapid increases in periocular surface temperature and serum cortisol concentrations, while faecal cortisol metabolites increased later and remained elevated for up to three days. Control rabbits also showed transient physiological changes despite the absence of direct handling, suggesting that exposure to procedure-related environmental cues may influence nearby animals. These findings highlight the importance of minimising unnecessary disturbance during laboratory procedures and considering housing conditions during experimental procedures. Infrared thermography may also provide a useful non-invasive method for monitoring acute physiological responses when used alongside established stress indicators. Background: This study evaluated physiological responses to repeated handling and blood collection in laboratory rabbits using infrared thermography, serum cortisol, and faecal cortisol metabolites (FCMs), and assessed responses in non-handled rabbits housed in the same room. Methods: Sixteen healthy adult rabbits were randomly allocated to experimental (n = 8) and non-handled control (n = 8) groups. Experimental rabbits underwent nine blood collections over 5 h as part of a pharmacokinetic study, with periocular surface temperature measured by infrared thermography before each collection. Controls underwent thermography at identical time points without handling or blood sampling. Serum cortisol was measured in experimental rabbits, whereas FCMs were analysed in both groups. Results: Following the first blood collection, periocular temperature increased by 1.0 °C in experimental and 1.3 °C in control rabbits. Experimental serum cortisol increased from 13.6 ± 5.5 to 23.7 ± 7.3 ng/mL at 30 min and declined to 8.1 ± 2.1 ng/mL at final sampling. FCMs increased approximately 9 h after the first collection in both groups and remained elevated for up to three days in experimental rabbits. Conclusions: Repeated handling and blood collection elicited measurable physiological responses. Changes in controls suggest that procedure-related environmental cues may also influence nearby non-handled rabbits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
| Βάση Δεδομένων: |
Academic Search Index |