ABSTRACT

Lack of available reference values in a research setting under local conditions can be a drawback for researchers, as the accuracy of data from control samples cannot be checked at the beginning of a research project. The aim of this study is to determine the standard haematological parameters for the female Sprague Dawley albino rat and Wistar rat. Thirty (30) healthy female Sprague Dawley rats and ten (10) healthy female Wistar rats of comparable size and weight were used for this study. They were grouped into four groups of ten each in a cage.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 Sprague Dawley rats with an average weight of 109g. They were given food and water for a period of four (4) weeks before they were sacrificed and blood was collected through the abdominal aorta.The erythrocyte counts and total leukocyte counts were carriedout by the automation method using the automated CBC (Complete Blood Count) method. The results showed that there was no significant change in lymphocyte count, Red blood Cell Count, Haemoglobin, Haematocrit. Mean Corpuscular Values; but there was significant change in White Blood Cell Count and Granulocyte Count. This result infers that both Sprague Dawley and Wistar rats are good models for researching haematological parameters but younger rats (Sprague Dawley and Wistar) are the best models for haematological research.