BASELINE VALUES OF LIVER FUNCTION PARAMETERS AND HISTOLOGY IN FEMALE SPRAGUE DAWLEY AND WISTAR RATS

ABSTRACT

While control groups are vital in scientific research, having baseline data collected from a cohort of rats observed over multiple weeks establishes a foundation for evaluating findings from smaller studies. This database is crucial for interpreting experimental data meaningfully and offers guidance by providing a potential range of values for various tests. The aim of this study is to determine the normal baseline values of liver function parameters in female Sprague-Dawley and Wistar rats to enhance the accuracy and reliability of experimental data in research. A total of Forty (40) healthy female Sprague Dawley and Wistar rats were used for this study, the rats were placed in well ventilated plastic cages of suitable temperature and humidity and kept under natural light/dark cycle and were allowed free access to rodent pellets and water. The rats were separated into four major groups;Group 1 consisted of 10 young adult female wistar rats with an average weight of 120g, Group 2 consisted of 10 Adult female Sprague Dawley rats with an average weight of 178g, Group 3 consisted of 10 young adult female Sprague Dawley rats with an average weight of 126g, Group 4 consisted of 10 Juvenile female Sprague Dawley rats with an average weight of 109g. After 14weeks the rats were sacrificed blood samples were collected into plain bottles and the liver was harvested for histology, liver function tests such as ALT, ALP, AST, total bilirubin, total protein, albumin and glubulin was done using spectrophotometric methods. Data were subjected to statistical analysis using the Graph-pad statistics software and relevant statistical values were obtained in the form of bar charts. From this research it can be deduced that the Sprague Dawley and Wistar rats strain have closely related range values for liver function parameters so both strains can be used as models for preclinical researches although it would be advisable to use young rats because the liver enzymes and proteins were at safer range variations.