engleski

Effect of metabolic cage housing on glucose and lipids concentrations in blood, body fat accumulation and liver glucose production in young male Wistar rats

Introduction: Metabolic cages are intended for collecting animal urine and feces and for measuring of feed and water consumption. They are often used in biomedical research, especially in studies involving metabolism and nutrition, where it is necessary to control the total intake of feed and water. In numerous studies, researchers have found that housing in a condition similar to housing in metabolic cages i.e. grid floor, lack of bedding or movement, and single housing, could cause stress and thus alter the results and influence the research. The aim: The aim of this study is to investigate if metabolic cage housing is appropriate for studies of metabolic changes in rat. Methods: Two months old male Wistar rats were randomly assigned to two different housing systems for a three-week period. One group of rats was housed individually in metabolic cages, and rats in the other group were paired and housed in polycarbonate type IV cages with wood shavings bedding material. The body mass and feed consumption were monitored daily. At the end of the study, four overnight fasted rats from each group were anesthetized and the liver blood samples were taken. The rest of the rats were used for primary hepatocytes cell culture to determinate glucose production. Results: Metabolic cage housing conditions in our study did not have sufficient impact to alter the tested parameters (body mass gain, feed consumption, plasma lipid profile, blood glucose, and glucose production). Bout groups had normal liver histology. Conclusions: Although there was a very different environment of housing the rats in the metabolic cages compared to their natural surroundings and social behavior, our results show no indication of acute or chronic stress through observed parameters which are altered in these states. Metabolic cage housing is appropriate for these types of studies.

metabolic cage housing, insulin sensitivity

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