Impact of Improved Animal Welfare on Hematological Parameters (Erythrocyte, Hemoglobin and Hematocrit) in Wistar Rats

The reliability of animal models in biomedical research, particularly for infectious and non-infectious diseases, hinges on their physiological and metabolic stability, coupled with stringent animal welfare.This study aimed to optimize Wistar rat (Rattus norvegicus) models by evaluating key physiological and metabolic parameters, specifically erythrocyte count, hemoglobin concentration, and hematocrit levels, under conditions prioritizing animal welfare.A total of 24 Wistar rats were divided into 8 groups, each subjected to distinct experimental conditions (aspects of housing management, environment, and nutrition) over 21 days.Blood samples were collected on the last day for hematology analysis.Data were analyzed using appropriate statistical methods, including normality, homogeneity, and Kruskal-Wallis tests where necessary.Initial findings indicate variations in erythrocyte, hemoglobin, and hematocrit levels across different groups, suggesting distinct physiological responses to experimental conditions.These results underscore the importance of comprehensive physiological monitoring and strict adherence to welfare principles in refining animal models, ensuring both scientific rigor and ethical practice in disease research.