From:
"Joan Clague"
Date: 2006-12-15 04:23:11 UTC
Subject: [ferrethealth] Thoughts on adrenal
To: ferrethealth@yahoogroups.com
I am reading "Behavioral Genetics and Domestic Science," edited by
Temple Grandin, and ran across the following paragraph which I think
may well have implications for ferrets:
"The adrenal glands are known to have an effect on behavior (Fuller
and Thompson, 1978). The inner portions of the adrenals secrete the
hormones adrenaline and nordrenaline, while the outer cortex secretes
the sex hormones androgens and oestrogens (reproductive hormones) and
various corticosteroids (stress hrormones). Yeakel and Rhoades
(1941) found that Hall's (1938) emotional rats had larger adrenals
and thyroids compared to the nonemotional rats. Richter (1952, 1954)
found a decrease in the size of the adrenal glands on Norway rats
accompanied by domestication. Several line and strain differences
have been found since these early reports, Furthermore, Levine
(1968) and Levine et al ((1967) showed that brief handling of baby
rats reduces the response of the adrenal gland to stress. Denenberg
et al (1967) concluded that early handling may lead to major changes
in the neuroendocrine system."
This may well explain why kits raised by private breeders who handle
them daily from birth on have a lowered incidence of adrenal disease
when compared to those bred by commercial breeders.
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