Influência da dieta ad libitum nos parâmetros murinométricos e bioquímicos de ratos Wistar

Abstract

Adequate nutrition is one of the most important factors for laboratory animals and, therefore, ad libitum feed consumption becomes a variable that can impact research results. The objective of the present study was to investigate the influence of the ad libitum diet on the murinometric and biochemical parameters of Wistar rats. Eleven male and female Wistar rats (Rattus norvegicus), aged 90 days, were used, allocated in collective cages and housed at the Experimental Research Center (NUPE) at UNIFIP. The animals were monitored for seven weeks and divided into: Male Control Group (GCM) and Female Control Group (GCF): standard feed with controlled quantity (30 g/day per animal); Male Diet Group (GDM) and Female Diet Group (GDF): standard diet offered ad libitum. The analysis of average feed consumption was calculated weekly. Biochemical parameters and murinometric measurements were taken at the end of the experiment, after total animal anesthesia. The results were analyzed by ANOVA, followed by the Tukey Test, with a significance level of p <0.05. Regarding murinometric measurements, GDM animals showed greater weight gain, higher BMI and greater abdominal changes, while GDF animals showed higher BMI, compared to GCM and GCF, respectively. Regarding biochemical parameters, the GDM animals showed an increase in fasting blood glucose, triglycerides and total cholesterol levels compared to the GCM animals. The GDF animals showed an increase in triglyceride and total cholesterol levels compared to the GCF. The study revealed evidence that free access to feed can lead to increased weight gain and metabolic changes in Wistar rats, with differences observed between the sexes. The joint analysis of data from the present study, together with previous evidence, strengthens understanding of the effects of the ad libitum diet on weight gain and metabolic health, potentially guiding further research.