Organ weights, relative, rats

Endosulfan administered by gavage at 1.5 mg/kg/day for 30 days to ovariectomized rats did not influence the relative weights or histology of the uterus, cervix, or vagina compared to ovariectomized control rats that did not receive endosulfan (Raizada et al. 1991). Rats in a positive control group received intraperitoneal injections of estradiol and showed increased relative organ weights and normal development of female reproductive tissues compared to the untreated ovariectomized control rats. 

Sai, K., Takagi, A., Umemura, T., Hasegawa, R. and Kurokawa, T. (1991). Relation of 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine formation in rat kidney to lipid peroxidation, glutathione level and relative organ weight after a single administration of potassium bromate. Jpn. J. Cancer Res. 82, 165-169. 

In a chronic-duration study, groups of 60 male and 60 female Fischer 344 rats were exposed to 0, 0.005, 0.025, or 0.164 ppm HDI over a 2-year period. Control rats were sham-exposed rats (conditioned air exposure). No significant changes in absolute or relative gastrointestinal tract organ weights were found (Mobay Corporation 1989). 

In another 13-week study, rats that were fed the compound up to a maximum level of 252 mg tin/kg/day as stannous chloride, showed increased relative kidney weights (Dreef-van der Meulen 1974). The protein-like droplets and calcareous deposits which are common in the rat strains used were present in the controls but were not seen in the tin-fed animals. The absence of calcareous deposits in the females confirms the observations of DeGroot et al. (1973), but the relevance of these finding to compound toxicity is unclear. The organ weight change itself, in the absence of histopathological or other effects, cannot be considered a toxic effect. 

Tables II and III show relative organ weights expressed as percent body weight for six rats, and percent organ lipids.

TABLE VII. Body weight, relative organ weight, and biochemical values in rats fed for 1 mo at equivalent nutrient intake... 

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