The effect of carbon monoxide on serum cholesterol of female rats

Purpose The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of carbon monoxide on serum cholesterol levels of the female rat. To determine this effect female rats were exposed to carbon monoxide concentrations of 50, 100, 150, and 200 parts per million (ppm). Weight gain was also observed as it corresponded to carbon monoxide exposure. Procedure Subjects used in this study were 48 female rats. Through random assignment, the subjects were placed in one of three groups. Group I (control) was exposed to room air for their treatment. Group II (experimental) was exposed to 50 and 150ppm carbon monoxide. Carbon monoxide concentrations of 100 and 200ppm were used for the exposure of Group III (experimental). Duration of the experiment was eight weeks. Group II was exposed to 50ppm carbon monoxide for the first four weeks and 150ppm for the second four weeks. Group III was exposed to 100ppm carbon monoxide for the first four weeks and 200ppm for the second four weeks. As a control, Group I was exposed to room air during the eight week period. Each group was exposed for eight hours per day and five days each week. For two days of the week, subjects were not exposed to their particular treatment in the chambers. Blood samples were taken before the experiment began and at the end of each week's exposure. The blood samples, taken from the rat's tail, were used to determine cholesterol levels for each subject. The method used for measuring the serum cholesterol involved obtaining optical density readings from a spectrophotometer. Solutions containing larger amounts of cholesterol created a darker shade and corresponded with higher optical density readings. The optical density readings were converted to values of cholesterol. Serum cholesterol values were reported in micrograms per 100 milliliters of serum. ..