Abstract
Summary
Adrenal mitochondria were obtained from rats subjected to two different crowding regiments in order to test the in vitro capacity for 11 β-hydroxylation (11β-OH) as an index of stress. Compared to controls, 110 cm 2 of floor space per rat, crowding at 30 cm 2 /rat markedly increased 11β-OH. Little change occurred when rats were held at 50 cm 2 /animal. High levels of 11β-OH persisted 3 weeks after the termination of severe crowding. This apparent failure to reverse crowding stress is viewed in terms of pathologic changes that appear to accompany crowding stress. On the basis of measuring 11 β-OH capacity, it is possible to differentiate between the stressful effects of the housing conditions.
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