The glucocorticoid Corticosterone is secreted by the adrenal gland in response to stress for mammalian species. Glucocorticoids also serve a function in the metabolism of fats, protein and carbohydrate and can be adminstered as an anti-inflammatory agent. Levels of both cortisol and corticosterone increase in mammalian species due to stressors. Only the corticosterone is the dominant glucocorticoid elevated in response to stress for both mice and rats as well as other non-human mammalian species. The actual stressors are not always indicative for the elevated levels of corticosterone but among them are climate changes, changes in environment, rapid temperature changes and changes in daily activity.