Effects of shipping on the immune function in mice.

The effect of shipping stress on immunologic functions was examined in mice. The mice were shipped either by truck or by plane, 2 of the most common modes for transport of animals. While mice were in transit, temperature fluctuations and light intensity were monitored. The foot pad test, hemagglutination assay, and plaque-forming cell assay were used to measure immunologic function. Corticosterone concentrations were quantitated with a competitive protein-binding technique. Regardless of the method of shipment, corticosterone values in the mice were markedly increased at arrival and remained at the high value for a 48-hour period. Immune-function assays were significantly lessened in the mice at arrival, but returned to base line within 48 hours, indicating that a minimum 48-hour stabilization period is required for all new arrivals.