Effect of shipping stress on clincopathologic indicators in F344/N rats.

A variety of hematologic, serum chemistry, and cytochrome P450 variables from 20 F344/N rats were measured and analyzed statistically to determine the effects of shipping stress on clinicopathologic indicators. Additionally, whole body, liver, and total kidney weights were recorded and compared. Ten rats were assayed upon receipt (stressed group), and 10 additional rats were held on a wire substrate for 12 days (poststress group) and assayed. Significant differences were detected between the 2 groups in ratio of total kidney weight to body weight, segmented neutrophil count, monocyte count, eosinophil count, and serum cholesterol, serum potassium, serum aspartate transaminase, and serum lactate dehydrogenase values.