A New And Simple Method Of Confirmatory Detection Of Mating In Albino Rats (<i>Rattus norvegicus</i>)

Abstract

A new and simple method o detecting mated female albino rats was developed and tested for precision and accuracy. The method involved the gross observation of grey to yellowsh protein coagulates (remnants of the copulatory plug) on vaginal smears of mated females made on clean glass slides. Results o test of the new method showed that the mean length of time between observation of the protein coagulates on vaginal smears and delivery o the mated pregnant emales was 21.39 ± 0.11 days (range= 20 – 23 days, n = 58), whch concurred with the normal 21-day gestation length o rats. The coefficient ovariation (CV) of imprecision of the new methodwas found to be 3.74 %. This new method is simple, easy to apply and does not interfere with fertilization and pregnancy, and also does not involve either the use of specially designed rat cagesor microscopy of vaginal smears, which were the constraints of the former methods of confirming mating in rats. Keywords: Albino rats, Detection of mating, New method, Vaginal smearsAnimal Research International Vol. 3 (3) 2006 pp. 527-530