Outbred Rats

The study consisted of a total of 48 healthy five-week old albino Sprague Dawley® Outbred rats: (24 females) and (24 males) purchased from Taconic Biosciences, Inc. one month prior to the experiment. The rats were purchased one month prior so that they can be examined by a veterinarian to make sure they are healthy before the start of the experiment. Once the rats were deemed to be healthy they were then separated into their according groups in order to start the experiment. The female rats were separated into four groups, three experimental groups and one control group. The male rats were kept separately until it was time for their use. All rats were kept in a healthy environment. The healthy environment consists of a large cage with appropriate
The cages were made of either glass or plexiglass. This cage for rats has a sleek design and is made entirely in float glass, a tough, transparent. They are equipped with metal accessories like a little house and a raised floor with a stainless-steel feeding bowl, a ladder and a drinking bottle. The cages were kept between 20- 26°C (68°-78°F). Inside the cage contained BPA free toys for the rats to play as well as exercise with. bio- tunnels made of cardboard (6" long x 3" inside diameter x 1/8" wall) was purchased from
This food was essential for the rats so they had the necessary nutrients they needed in their diet. Food was left in the cage for the rats to eat whenever they got hungry. Each rat in the experiment were kept separately from one another. The three experimental groups were orally injected with different levels of BPA from once a week (Sundays) for four months. Group 1 was administered 1.0 mL, Group 2 was administered 2.5 mL and Group 3 received 5.0 mL. The control group was left in their healthy environment. This was done for four months because the best time to breed rats is when they are five to six months old, after six months, it can become dangerous to the rat. BPA was administered once a week because once a day could be deadly to Group 3. The lowest level of BPA is 1.0 mL as the baseline because according to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the appropriate adverse effect level of BPA is 5 mg (1.0 mL). The BPA levels within the rats were measured through a blood test conducted by veterinarians. Veterinarians used glass syringes (1mL with luer) purchased from Kent Scientific Corporation. The needles were purchased from Medline Industries, Inc. The blood was taken