general-adaptation syndrome (GAS) A range of abnormal physiological systems reflecting pathological social stress, and serving to regulate population growth, where no external resource limitation exists. Essentially it is a behavioural regulation of population growth. Mechanisms include the supression of the oestrus cycle, inadequate lactation, enlarged adrenal glands, increased aggression, etc. It has been demonstrated experimentally with overcrowded laboratory rats.

general-adaptation syndrome (GAS) A range of abnormal physiological systems reflecting pathological social stress, and serving to regulate population growth, where no external resource limitation exists. Essentially it is a behavioural regulation of population growth. Mechanisms include the supression of the oestrus cycle, inadequate lactation, enlarged adrenal glands, increased aggression, etc. It has been demonstrated experimentally with overcrowded laboratory rats.