The Effects on the Growth Performance, Some Serum Oxidative and Nitrosative Stress Parameters of the Stocking Density in the Sprague-Dawley Rats

Objective of his studywas to compare the growth performances of Sprague-Dawley female rats fed at normal and narrowed stocking density with certain stress parameters. 72 Sprague-Dawley female rats aged 4 weeks were used in the experiment. The average live weight per trial for normal and narrow stock density groups was calculated as 54.22 ± 2.65 and 55.53 ± 2.66 g. Animals’ weekly weighs during a month indicated that as their weight increased, the floor area per animal gradually expanded. Female rats reach sexual maturity at 8-9 weeks. For this reason, the experiment was continued until the animals were 2 months old. Based on the weekly weighing results of the rats, it was found that live weights increased regularly for both groups and growth performances did not change according to stocking density (P>0.05). It was concluded that serum Total Antioxidant Capacity (TAC) and Glutathione (GSH) values were affected by the stocking density and that significantly reduced in the rats fed at narrowed stocking density. On the other hand, Total Oxidant Capacity (TOC), Nitric Oxide (NO) and malondialdehyde (MDA) values increased approximately 1.5 times in the rats at the group of narrowed stocking density. As a result, it was found that even if the increasing stocking density has no negative effect on the growth performance of the animals, it causes some physiological changes in blood values by stressing the animals. Therefore, in order to get the most accurate results in scientific studies, it must be paid attention to breed the animals at the ideal housing conditions.