title: Age-related changes in the haematology of female F344 rats.
abstract: As little comprehensive baseline data are available on age-related haematological changes in genetically-defined rat strains, the haematology of female F344 rats is described in animals sampled at 2, 4, 8, 20, 66 and 121 weeks of age. Values for Hb, RBC and PCV increased from 2 weeks of age to reach adult levels at 8 weeks, whereas MCV, MCH and reticulocyte counts were high initially but decreased to reach the adult range at 8 weeks. Between 66 and 121 weeks, reticulocyte counts were significantly increased and values for MCHC significantly decreased. Lymphocytes were the predominant white cell type in each age group. The absolute numbers of neutrophils and lymphocytes showed slight variations between 2 and 66 weeks and both cell types increased significantly between 66 and 121 weeks. Platelet counts showed no overall age-related trends. Fibrinogen values increased from 2 weeks of age to reach the adult level at 8 weeks. One animal of the 14 sampled at 121 weeks showed changes in the blood, liver and spleen consistent with a diagnosis of lymphoid leukaemia.
authors: Department of Cell Pathology, School of Pathology, Middlesex Hospital Medical School, London, UK.
authors: J A
authors: JA
authors: Turton
authors: C M
authors: CM
authors: Hawkey
authors: M G
authors: MG
authors: Hart
authors: J
authors: J
authors: Gwynne
authors: R M
authors: RM
authors: Hicks
mesh_terms: D000375:Aging / Q000097:blood*; D000818:Animals; D001772:Blood Cell Count / Q000662:veterinary*; D001799:Blood Sedimentation; D001835:Body Weight; D004906:Erythrocyte Count / Q000662:veterinary; D004909:Erythrocyte Indices; D005260:Female; D006400:Hematocrit / Q000662:veterinary; D006403:Hematologic Tests / Q000662:veterinary*; D007945:Leukemia, Lymphoid / Q000097:blood / Q000662:veterinary; D007958:Leukocyte Count / Q000662:veterinary; D008297:Male; D010976:Platelet Count / Q000662:veterinary; D051381:Rats; D011916:Rats, Inbred F344 / Q000097:blood*; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains / Q000097:blood*; D012016:Reference Values; D012376:Rodent Diseases / Q000097:blood