EFFECTS OF SNARE RESTRAINT ON PLASMA-LEVE LS OF CATECHOLAMINES, CORTISOL, INSULIN AND METABOLIC PARAMETERS IN GROWING PIGS

The aim of the experiments was to evaluate the effect of an acute stre ssor (snare restraint for 5 min) on hormonal and metabolic parameters in pigs and to look for parameters which reflect best the stress inten sity. The snare restraint resulted in an increase in plasma level of e pinephrine from 88 +/- 12 to 2264 +/- 470 pg/ml and in plasma level of norepinephrine from 206 +/- 14 to 7727 +/- 1969 pg/ml within a minute . In contrast, the cortisol level showed a delayed increase from 30.8 +/- 4.9 to 101.8 +/- 12.0 nmol/l. The inhibitory effect of catecholami nes on insulin secretion resulted in a delayed increase of plasma leve l of insulin from 0.14 +/- 0.01 to 0.29 +/- 0.04 nmol/l. Moreover, the re was a significant increase in haematocrit and in plasma concentrati ons of glucose, lactate, free glycerol and ascorbic acid. A biphasic p attern in plasma level of potassium was observed. The present results suggest that besides the level of lactate the plasma concentration of catecholamines reflects best the individual degree of excitement and t he time of physical strain.