Pathological changes during aging in barrier-reared Fischer 344 male rats

J Gerontol. 1977 May;32(3):258-78. doi: 10.1093/geronj/32.3.258.

Abstract

Pathology, microbiology, and selected serum chemistries were evaluated in 144 male Fischer rats from 4 to 33 mo of age. The rats were reared and maintained under barrier conditions, which successfully excluded the introduction of major infectious disease agents throughout the entire study, including Mycoplasma pulmonis. A wide variety of pathology was found and tabulated, and many lesions were found to increase in severity and incidence with age. There was a high correlation of renal disease severity with increasing age, while alpha-1 globulin and cholesterol increased.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adenoma, Chromophobe / pathology
  • Aging*
  • Alpha-Globulins / analysis
  • Animals
  • Blood Proteins / analysis
  • Cardiovascular System / pathology
  • Cholesterol / blood
  • Germ-Free Life*
  • Kidney / pathology
  • Kidney Diseases / pathology
  • Leukemia, Myeloid / pathology
  • Leydig Cell Tumor / pathology
  • Male
  • Pituitary Neoplasms / pathology
  • Rats
  • Rats, Inbred F344 / physiology*
  • Rats, Inbred Strains / physiology*
  • Respiratory System / pathology
  • Serum Albumin / analysis
  • Specific Pathogen-Free Organisms*
  • Spleen / pathology
  • Testicular Neoplasms / pathology
  • Testis / pathology

Substances

  • Alpha-Globulins
  • Blood Proteins
  • Serum Albumin
  • Cholesterol