Effect of Different Routes of Blood Collection on the Results of Liver and Kidney Function Test of Adult Wistar Rats

Abstract

Assessment of blood parameters is often used to monitor animal health and to determine the success of dietary and pharmacological intervention in preclinical animal models. It is important to consider whether hematological and metabolic measurements might differ in relation to different blood sampling sites at the time of blood collection. This research is aimed at evaluating the effects of the different routes of blood collection on the results of kidney function tests and liver function tests of adult Wistar rats. A total of 15 rats weighing 110g-150g were separated into three groups of 5 rats each and then allowed to acclimatize for 2 weeks. Blood was collected from group A using ocular puncture and from groups B and C through cardiac puncture and neck laceration mode of blood collection respectively. Liver function tests to determine serum levels of liver enzymes - aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and kidney function tests to determine the serum levels of urea and creatinine were carried out and the results recorded. Our results showed that the different routes of blood collection used have no effect on the serum level of AST, ALT, ALP, urea and creatinine. Hence, it is safe to say that the different routes of blood collection have no effect on the result of the kidney and liver function tests.