Changes of stress indicators in different matrices in growing rabbits before and after transport

The present study aimed at evaluating the change of glucocorticoids (cortisol and corticosterone), and oxidative and protein markers (malondialdehyde, MDA and heat shock protein 70, HSP70) as stress indicators in 31 growing rabbits before and after 1-h transport in collective cages from farm to slaughterhouse by a commercial truck. In order to identify tissues suitable for stress marker measurements and easy to be taken, different matrices were sampled: blood and hair for measuring glucocorticoid levels, and muscle and liver for MDA concentration and HSP70 expression. The stress status of rabbits was weakly affected since only plasma cortisol (4.58 to 6.29 ng/ml; P<0.05) and liver HSP70 expression (100777 to 166132 pixel; P<0.001) significantly increased after transport. The corticosterone and cortisol levels in hair were successfully measured, but did not change with transport. In fact, this matrix could be useful for long term stress status evaluation. In conclusion, under our conditions, the stress status of rabbits was not affected to a large extent by transport. Liver HSP70 expression resulted a suitable candidate tool for measuring stress in rabbits.