Hematological and biochemical reference values for C57BL/6, Swiss Webster and BALB/c mice

• Main Authors: Ed Wilson Santos, Dalila Cunha de Oliveira, Araceli Hastreiter, Graziela Batista da Silva, Jackeline Soares de Oliveira Beltran, Maristela Tsujita, Amanda Rabelo Crisma, Silvânia Meiry Peris Neves, Ricardo Ambrósio Fock, Primavera Borelli
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Universidade de São Paulo 2016-06-01
• Series: Brazilian Journal of Veterinary Research and Animal Science
• Subjects: Hematology; Reference values; Mice
• Online Access: http://www.revistas.usp.br/bjvras/article/view/103850
• ISSN: 1413-9596; 1678-4456

The use of animals in scientific research has contributed significantly to the development of science, promoting various advances in understanding the metabolic machinery and the discovery of treatments and preventive measures applied to human and veterinary medicine. The development and use of alternative methods is encouraged; however, in some situations, the use of animals in accordance with ethical policies is still required. Established hematological and clinical chemistry reference values in laboratory animals are essential to evaluate functional changes; however, there are few data in the literature on these values, being fundamentally a comparative basis. The aim of this investigation was the establishment of hematological and clinical chemistry reference values in common strains/stocks of mice used in animal experimentation. Blood profile (hemogram, reticulocytes and myelogram) and clinical chemistry serum determination of total protein, albumin, glucose, cholesterol, triglycerides, calcium and phosphorus were evaluated using C57BL/6, BALB/c and Swiss Webster mice, male, 2-3 months old. The results standardize reference intervals in animals reared in Laboratory Animal Facility, reflecting the expected condition in rodents subjected to scientific research.