Intervalos de referência das principais análises bioquímicas realizadas em roedores produzidos pelo Biotério Central da Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte

Abstract

Conventional rodents, such as rats and mice, are widely used in scientific studies across various fields, including biomedicine, pharmacology, and toxicology. Data ollected from laboratory animals in experiments must always be interpreted through comparison with reference data. To achieve this interpretation, especially regarding laboratory tests, it is essential to have (standardized) reference intervals available. Additionally, understanding the biochemical profiles of these animals is indispensable in animal husbandry to assess the health status of the rodents and to monitor the impact of external factors on the colony. The central purpose of this work is the standardization and determination of reference intervals for the main biochemical analyses in conventional rodents bred at the Central Animal Facility of the Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte (UFRN). The research focuses on the importance of establishing specific reference intervals for these parameters, aiming to enhance the quality of scientific experiments using animals and to ensure more reliable results. The Central Animal Facility plays a crucial role in the production and supply of research animals to the academic community of UFRN. However, it has not yet established its own reference intervals, as recommended by the specialized scientific community. Therefore, standardizing the specific intervals for such parameters for the main biochemical analytes in these rodents is essential to ensure data consistency and reproducibility of experiments conducted at the university. The research involves performing biochemical tests on conventional rodents bred and supplied by the Central Animal Facility of the Center for Biosciences. These data were statistically analyzed to establish reliable and specific reference intervals for each parameter and for each species. This standardization will further contribute to improving the quality of preclinical trials, allowing for more precise comparisons between different studies and animal facilities. Finally, this work seeks to reinforce the relevance of this process in order to enhance the quality of research conducted at the institution, promoting scientific advancements and contributing to the reliability of the results obtained.