CHANGES IN COPPER AND ZINC ION CONCENTRATIONS AND SERUM-INSULIN LEVEL IN RATS AFFECTED BY INBREEDING AND STRESS

The effect of inbreeding level and sex on serum levels Cu, Zn and insulin in rats under stress was studied. F1-hybrids of wild Norway rats (Rattus norvegicus Erxleben) and albino outbred rats (Ipf: RIZ), reached various inbreeding levels by full-sub mating: control (0% inbred) and 50% and 91%. Each of the three groups consisted of 120 rats (60 males and 60 females). Half of each group (30 males and 30 females) was exposed only to ether anaesthesia (EA) to collect blood, the other half was exposed to severe physical stress (PS) - 3 d starvation and 3 h swimming, followed by ether anaesthesia. Using ATOM-SPEC method, serum Cu, Zn ion concentrations were determined, whereas RIA was applied to determine serum insulin level. Significant, linear decrease in mean values of serum Cu and Zn as well as insulin induced by increased inbreeding, especially under severe stress (PS) was noticed. Sex affected significantly mean values of serum insulin and Zn. Marked effects of inbreeding level and PS interaction on serum Cu and insulin was found as well.