The Rat

Toxicology ...................................................................................................................................... 155 History ....................................................................................................................................... 155 Choice of the Rat in Toxicology Research ................................................................................ 156

Species Differences .............................................................................................................. 156 Strain Differences ................................................................................................................ 156

Normal Physiological Values .................................................................................................... 157 Husbandry ................................................................................................................................. 157

Facilities ............................................................................................................................... 157 Caging .................................................................................................................................. 161 Food ...................................................................................................................................... 164 Nutrition ............................................................................................................................... 165 Water .................................................................................................................................... 165 Prevention of Infectious Diseases ........................................................................................ 167

Study Design ............................................................................................................................. 168 Dosing Techniques .................................................................................................................... 173

Oral Route ............................................................................................................................ 173 Intravenous Route ................................................................................................................. 178 Intraperitoneal Route ............................................................................................................ 182 Intramuscular Route ............................................................................................................. 183 Subcutaneous Route ............................................................................................................. 183 Topical Route ........................................................................................................................ 184 Rectal Route ......................................................................................................................... 184 Intranasal Route ................................................................................................................... 185 Inhalation Route ................................................................................................................... 185

Data Collection Techniques ...................................................................................................... 187 Observations and Physical Examinations ............................................................................ 187 Neurobehavioral Examination ............................................................................................. 187 Functional Observational Battery ........................................................................................ 188 Locomotor Activity .............................................................................................................. 189 Cardiovascular Parameters ................................................................................................... 190 Electrocardiography ............................................................................................................. 190

Recording Methods .............................................................................................................. 190 Blood Collection Techniques ............................................................................................... 194 Urine Collection ................................................................................................................... 198 Necropsy ............................................................................................................................... 198

Summary ................................................................................................................................... 199 Pathology ....................................................................................................................................... 199

Necropsy ...................................................................................................................................200 Clinical Pathology .....................................................................................................................202 Common Diseases .....................................................................................................................204