Oral concentration of volatile sulphur compounds in stressed rats

Stress has been identified as a halitosis-inducing factor. Halitosis may be measured by the determination of oral volatile sulphur compound levels (VSC). Since immobilization and swimming are two experimental protocols widely used to induce stress in laboratory animals, the aim of this work was to investigate the influence of stress on VSC in rats. Male Wistar rats were submitted to three swimming or immobilization sessions over consecutive days. The oral VSC increased 3 h after the first and third swimming or immobilization sessions. The results in the present study support the hypothesis that stress may be an etiological factor in halitosis. Also, the animal experimental design may represent a new approach to research concerning the relationship between halitosis and stress.