Physiologic Data |
|
| Temperature | (R) 37.7°C (99.85°F) |
| Diploid number | 42 |
| Respiratory rate/minute | 71 – 146 |
| Tidal volume | 0.6 – 2.0 mL |
| Oxygen use | 0.68 – 1.10 mL/g/hr |
| Body surface area cm2 | 10.5 (weight in grams)2/3 |
| GI transit time | 12 – 24 hr |
| Heart rate/minute | 250 – 493 |
| Blood pressure | 84 – 134/64 mm Hg |
| Daily urine output (average) | 13 – 33 mL/24 hr (or approximately 5.5 mL/100 gm/24h)a |
| Food Intake | 5 – 6 gm per ea. 100 gm per day |
| Water Intake | 10 – 12mL per 100 gm per day |
| Weight (male average adult) | 250 – 550 gm |
| Weight (female average adult) | 225 – 400 gm |
| Nipples (found only on females) | Average 6 pairs |
| Life span (average) | 24 – 40 months |
Environment Requirements |
|
| Room Temperature | 65°-79°F / 18°-28°C |
| Relative Humidity | 30% – 70 % |
| Housing Space | 40 in.² per 300 gm. wt. of rat |
Reproduction |
|
| Puberty | 6 – 8 weeks |
| Estrous cycle | Polyestrous |
| Estrous period | approx. 12 hours |
| Duration of cycle | 4 – 5 days |
| Gestation | 21 – 23 days |
| Size of litter | approximately 8 – 14 pups |
| Birth weight | 5 – 6 gm |
| Eyes open | 10-12 days |
| When weaned | approximately 4 weeks | Return of estrus cycle postpartum | within 24 hours |
| Composition of Doe’s milk | 13.0% fat, 9.7% protein, 3.2% lactose |
| Important male anatomic notation | open inguinal canals |
Hematologic Data / Values b,c |
International Standard Units (SI) |
Conventional Units |
| Total Blood volume 50 – 70 mL/kg |
– | – |
| For Purpose of Blood Samples, single sample: 2 – 3 mL b Note: exsanguination occurs at 8 – 12 mL b |
– | – |
| Erythrocytes (RBC’s) | 7 – 10 x 1012/L | 7 – 10 x 106/mm3 |
| Hematocrit (Hct)(PCV) | 0.36 – 0.48 L/L | 36 – 48 % |
| Hemaglobin (Hg) | 110 – 180 g/L | 11 – 18 g/dl |
| Leukocytes (WBC) | 6 – 17 x 109/L | 6 – 17 x 103/mm3 |
| Segmented Neutrophils | – | 9 – 34 % |
| Lymphocytes | – | 65 – 85 % |
| Eosinophils | – | 0 – 6 % |
| Monocytes | – | 0 – 5 % |
| Basophils | – | 0 – 1.5 % |
| Platelets | 500 – 1300 x 109/L | 500 – 1300 x 103/mm3 |
Biochemical Data (Electrolytes) / Values c,d,e |
International Standard Units (SI) |
Conventional Units |
| Serum protein (Total protein) | 56 – 76 g/L | 5.6 – 7.6 g/dL |
| Albumin | 38 – 48 g/L | 3.8 – 4.8 g/dL |
| Globulin | 18 – 30 g/L | 1.8 – 3.0 g/dL |
| Glucose | 2.8 – 7.5 mmol/L | 50 – 135 mg/dL |
| Calcium | 1.32 – 3.24 mmol/L | 5.3 – 13.0 mg/dL |
| Phosphate (Phosphorous) | 1.71 – 2.68 mmol/L | 5.3 – 8.3 mg/dL |
| Sodium | 135 – 155 mmol/L | 135 – 155 mEq/L |
| Potassium | 4 – 8 mmol/L | 4 – 8 mEq/L |
| Chloride | – | 84 – 110 mEq/L d |
| Blood urea nitrogen (BUN) | 5.4 – 7.5 mmol/L | 15-21 mg/dl |
| Creatinine | 18 – 71 µmol/L | 0.2 – 0.8 mg/dL |
| Total bilirubin | 3 – 9 µmol/L | 0.20 – 0.55 mg/dL |
| Lipids | 0.7 – 4.2 g/L | 70 – 415 mg/dL |
| Phospholipids | 0.4 – 1.3 g/L | 36 – 130 mg/dL |
| Triglycerides | 0.3 – 1.4 g/L | 26 – 145 mg/dL |
| Cholesterol | 0.88 – 3.36 mmol/L | 34 – 130 mg/dL |
| ALT (Alanine aminotransferase) | 16 – 89 IU/L | – |
| ALP (Alkaline phophatase) | 16 – 125 IU/L | – |
| AST (Aspartate aminotransferase) | 45.5 – 80.8 IU/L e | – |
| Amylase | 128 – 313 IU/L e | – |
Endocrine Values a |
|
| Total serum T4 | 3.4 – 6.2 µ/dL |
| Free T4 | 1.17 – 2.8 ng/dL |
| Free T3 | 110 – 1038 pg/dL |
Coagulation Values |
|
| PT (prothombin time) | 15.7 – 25.4 seconds |
| PTT (Activated partial thromboplastin time) | 15 – 19.3 seconds |
| Bleeding Time / Clotting Time | 2 – 5 minutes f |
Urinalysis e |
|
| Normal color | dark yellow, yellow, light yellow, milky |
| Urine volume | 13 – 33 mL/24 hr (or approximately 5.5 mL/100 gm/24h a) |
| pH (acidity/alkalinity of solution) | 7.3 – 8.5 |
| SG (Specific Gravity) | 1.02 – 1.07 |
| Protein | <30 mg/24h |
| Glucose | negative |
| Bilirubin | negative |
| Erythrocytes (RBC, blood) | negative |
| Ketones | negative |
| Leukocytes (WBC) | few |
| Bacteria | negative |
Values expressed here are adaptations from references listed on References page of the Rat Health Guide Index. Normal variations may occur within the rat population based on strain type, age, sex or if the animal has fasted. Values from blood or tissue samples may vary slightly, based on the Lab the specimens are sent to and its equipment calibrations.
aAdapted from Carpenter, J. W. (2012). Exotic animal formulary (4th ed.). Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders.
bEquals approximate values.
cAdapted from Harkness, JE., Turner, PV., VandeWoude, S., et al. (2010). Harkness and Wagner’s Biology and Medicine of Rabbits and Rodents. 5th ed. Ames: Wiley-Blackwell.
dAdapted from Sharp, P., & Regina, M. (1998). The Laboratory Rat. Boca Raton: CRC Press, and Sharp, P., & Villano, J. (2012). The Laboratory Rat, Second Edition. Boca Raton: CRC Press.
eAdapted from Keeble, E. J., & Meredith, A. (2009). BSAVA manual of rodents and ferrets. Quedgeley: British Small Animal Veterinary Association.
fPass, D. and G. Freeth. (1993). The rat. ANZCCART News 6(4): 1-4
