Physiological stabilization of rabbits after shipping.

Significant physiological variations that could influence experimental outcomes have been described in laboratory animals following shipping. The objective of the present study was to monitor a variety of physiologic parameters in rabbits after shipping, and to evaluate the time necessary for stabilization of these variables in the new environment. Data indicate that rabbits develop anorexia, hyperglycemia, neutrophilia, lymphopenia and elevated plasma cortisol concentrations immediately after shipping. Most of these effects abate within 2 days after arrival, suggesting that a minimum stabilization period of 48 hours after shipping is advisable prior to use of rabbits in experimental paradigms.