ABSTRACT
This chapter aims to provide scientists with a range of normal or expected values for selected hematology, serum chemistry, and physiological parameters. It also summarizes biochemical parameters for rat blood. The chapter shows electrocardiographic parameters in normal Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats. “Young and adult SD rats were selected for brain evaluation and were anesthetized with sodium pentobarbital. We have adapted data on brain dimensions from those published by J. F. Barnett and colleagues at Charles River Laboratories to help researchers understand normal rat brain morphology. A. K. Sharma and colleagues reported cellular and protein parameters in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) collected from rats thorough a percutaneous CSF collection technique. Rats included in different publication were mostly single housed with free access to water. The animal rooms were generally maintained at average temperatures of 22°C with an average relative humidity of 30% to 70%.
