Published 1959-01-01
Abstract
A study was made of stress factors in ground squirrels and the effect of these factors on the parasites of the squirrels. The relationship between stress and bacterial or virus diseases has received some study, but very little attention has been given to the effect of stress factors on animal parasites. Evidence points to the general assumption that when an animal, or man, is under stress, its resistance to infection decreases. With bacterial infection this reaction seems to be due, in part, to the production of adrenocorticotrophic hormones from the pituitary gland and consequent release of adrenal glucorticoids which diminish normal inflammatory responses. Project Number 103.