Administração de metformina em água associada a clomifeno em ratos Wistar: avaliação de parâmetros de palatabilidade e bem-estar animal

Abstract

Rats (Rattus norvegicus) are one of the most used conventional laboratory animals in experimentation in the world. Goto-Kakizaki (GK) mice were produced by genetic selection and are models for the study of type 2 diabetes mellitus and polycystic ovary syndrome. It is a strain that is difficult to reproduce and maintain in animal facilities, a fact that led us to study methods to improve its reproductive rates. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the protocol of administration of metformin in drinking water associated with administration of clomiphene in rats, to treat fertility problems related to polycystic ovary and irregular estrous cycle in the GK strain. However, as GK rats are rare, in this work Wistar rats were used to evaluate the protocol. Twelve males and 12 females of the Wistar strain with approximately 65 days of life were used. Females were divided into 3 groups – group 1 was control (without metformin), group 2 metformin (1.51 mg/ml) and group 3 metformin + clomiphene (10mg/kg). For 25 days, filtered water was given to group 1, metformin diluted in water to groups 2 and 3, and group 3 was given clomiphene via gavage from the twentieth day of metformin supply. On the 25th day of providing water with medication, these females were mated with 12 males, forming four couples in each group. Every day of the experimental protocol, the animals were weighed to monitor the growth, and the daily consumption of water and feed, and the behavior and welfare of the animals were verified. It was observed that the entire protocol occurred without any change, and the animals' growth and consumption of water and feed were considered normal, and there was no behavioral change. The results obtained indicate that there are no problems in the administration of metformin and clomiphene, to improve the reproductive indices of rats, which compromise animal welfare.