This presentation gives an overview of rat handling and their usage in lab.

1. Correct Handling of Laboratory
rats.
BY – Tushar Chaudhary
Mpharm 1st Semester
Noida institute of engineering and technology (pharmacy institute)

2. Rats
 Scientific name of rats is “Rattus norvegious.”
 Rats were first used for experimental purposes in the mid 1800s.
 Albino rats of Wister strain are commonly used.
 Other strains used are Sprague dawely are commonly used.

3. Advantageous and characteristics of rats:
1. It is small in size compared to other animals so drugs are required in small
quantity .
2. Vomiting center is absent so drug can be administered orally .
3. Gall bladder and tonsils are absent .
4. Pancreas is diffused, therefore difficult to produce pancreatomy.
5. In stomach fundus and pylorus parts have clear lining between them.

4. Diet and Room conditions for rats:
 Rats are generally fed a diet containing low fiber, protein and fat.
 Rat rooms are usually maintained at 30-70% relative humidity and a temperature of 18-
26ºC.
 Rats should be acclimatized to handling to reduce stress.

5. General Specifications of Rats :
 Lifespan 2.5-3.5 years
 Adult weight M 300-500g, F 250-300g
 Birth weight 5-6g
 Heart rate 330-480 beats/minute
 Respiratory rate 85 breaths/minute
 Body temp. 35.9-37.5ºC

6. Handling of rats:
 Frequent handling of rat in a firm, yet gentle, manner will accustom them to
manipulation.
 Rat may be removed from their cage or primary enclosure by grasping the tail 1–2 cm
from the base. One may restrain the rat by any of the following means:
 Grasp the loose skin over the back and neck with the non-dominant hand.
 Firmly grasp the rat around the thorax with one thumb or index finger under the
mandible to prevent being bitten. Grasping with the non-dominant hand will give the
restrainer use of the dominant hand for animal manipulations or to support the animal’s
hind-quarters. With single hand restraint, the tail may be held between the fourth and
fifth finger.
 The rat may be palmed over its back with the index and middle finger placed between
its mandible to minimize the chance of being bitten.

8. Experimental use of rats:
Adult weight – 200 to 250 mg and the age suitable for the experiments is 1.5
months.
1. Psychopharmacology studies
2. Study of analgesic and anticonvulsant
3. Study of oestrus cycle
4. Gastric acid secretion and study
5. Chronic study on blood pressure

9. Sample collection and Drug administration:
 Blood can be collected from several sites in the rat including tail vein, retro-orbital
sinus, vena cava or cardiac puncture .
 Can receive oral, IP, IM, and IV.

11. References
 Gärtner K, Büttner D, Döhler K, Friedel R, Lindena J, Trautschold I. Stress
response of rats to handling and experimental procedures. Laboratory animals.
1980 Jul 1;14(3):267-74.
 Brudzynski SM, Ociepa D. Ultrasonic vocalization of laboratory rats in response to
handling and touch. Physiology & behavior. 1992 Oct 1;52(4):655-60.
 Cloutier S, Wahl KL, Panksepp J, Newberry RC. Playful handling of laboratory
rats is more beneficial when applied before than after routine injections.
Applied Animal Behaviour Science. 2015 Mar 1;164:81-90.
 O'Malley CI, Hubley R, Moody C, Turner PV. Use of nonaversive handling and
training procedures for laboratory mice and rats: Attitudes of American and
Canadian laboratory animal professionals. Frontiers in Veterinary Science. 2022
Dec 9;9:1040572.