Tympanic temperature peaked at t=+4 (40.8 °C vs 39.1 °C) and returned to basal levels at t=+24. A decrease of total count of white blood cell count was observed, maximal at t=+4 (5.70 vs 15.35 G/l) and the mirror changes in the respective proportions of lymphocytes and granulocytes. This indicated that the lymphocytes/granulocytes ratio (L/G) was a good measure to use in order to take into account these changes that result mainly from the redistribution of lymphocytes into the tissues . The L/G ratio was maximal at t=+1 (9.32 vs 3.67) and back to basal levels at t=+4. The red blood cell count and associated measures (hematocrit and hemoglobin concentration) showed a biphasic change, with an initial increase, maximal at t=+4 (5.47 vs 5.16 T/l) and a subsequent long-lasting decrease (4.82 T/l at t=+24). The platelet count showed a steady decrease until at least t=+24 (284 vs 475 G/l). These measures were not influenced by sex, except the mean red cell volume and hematocrit that were slightly lower in males (FDR <0.05).