Stressed out: providing laboratory animals with behavioral control to reduce the
physiological effects of stress
by Brianna N. Gaskill and Joseph P. Garner
Laboratory animals experience a large amount of environmental stress. An animals
environment can include both physiological and social stressors that may require an
animal to adapt to maintain allostatic balance. For example, thermal stress can lead to
changes in behavior, reproduction and immune function, which has been detrimental to
cancer modeling in mice. Chronic uncontrollable stress is widely acknowledged for its
negative alterations to physiology. However, there is a lack in the understanding of how the
laboratory environment affects animal physiology and behavior, particularly as it relates to
characteristics of the human disease being modeled. Given the evidence on how stressors
affect physiology, it is clear that efforts to model human physiology in animal models must
consider animal stress as a confounding factor. We present evidence illustrating that
providing captive animals with control or predictability is the best way to reduce the
negative physiological effects of these difficult-to-manage stressors.
Disponivel em: . Acesso em: 28 Mar. 2017.
RESPONDA A QUESTAO EM PORTUGUES. RESPOSTAS EM INGLES NAO SERAO ACEITAS.
Based on the text, answer the following questions:
Why do Gaskill and Garner consider important to study physiological effects of stress on laboratory
animals?
Is the statement “Gaskill and Garner believe environmental stress can be eliminated in laboratory
animals", right or wrong? Justify your answer.