Dose-dependant hypothyroidism in mice induced by commercial trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole rodent feed.

Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMX) medication in the feed or water is commonly administered to immunocompro mised mice to prevent the occurrence of Pneumocystis murina (formerly P. carinii) pneumonia. Therapeutic doses of SMX can cause decreased total and free thyroxine (T4) levels in dogs and thyroid hypertrophy and hyperplasia in mice, rats, and dogs.

Comparison of the stress response in rats to repeated isoflurane or CO2:O2 anesthesia used for restraint during serial blood collection via the jugular vein.

The primary objective of this study was to compare the effect of 2 commonly used anesthetics, isoflurane and CO2, on the physiologic stress hormone, corticosterone, in rats during serial blood collections. Circulating corticosterone concentrations were monitored during serial jugular blood sampling in rats exposed to either isoflurane or CO2 anesthesia. Blood was drawn under anesthesia at 6 time points (initial sampling and 0.