Abstract
Body weight, heart rate and systolic blood pressure were determined in pair-caged male, Fischer 344 rats (ages 1, 3, 6, 12, 24 and 28 months). Body weight increased significantly until 6 months of age and remained stable between 6 and 12 months of age with a slight increase in weight between 12 and 24 months of age. Heart rate significantly decreased between 1 and 6 months (578 and 482 beats/min respectively; however, significant differences in heart rate were not observed between 6 and 28 months of age. Significant increases in systolic blood pressure occurred between 1 and 3 months of age (123 and 142 mm Hg, respectively). Between 3 and 12 months significant decreases in systolic blood pressure were recorded. The blood pressure remained stable throughout the remaining age span of these animals. Body weight was found to have significant interactions with heart rate and systolic blood pressure. The age-related differences in body weight, heart rate and systolic blood pressure found in male, Fischer 344 rats should be taken into account in experiments using these rats as animal model for aging.
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