Reference values for blood chemistry in the cotton rat (Sigmadon hispidus)

Fifteen blood chemistry values for cotton rat (Sig-modon hispidur) were measured in 17 females ranged from 122.0 and 170.0 g and 11 males ranged from 91.0 to 190.0 g in weight. Significant sex differences were found for creatinine and triclyccridc (P < 0.05). Six items (UA, TB, GPT, CK, HDLCHO, TG) in temales and 4 items (TB, GOT, GPT, CK) in males varied with coefficient of variation being over 40 %. The average values for TP, ALB, UA, TB in the cotton rat tended to be lower than those in the rat. On the contrary, the average values 0f GOT, GPT,  ALP, CK, LDH, GLU tended to be higher than those in the rat