The effect of uniform exsanguination on absolute and relative organ weights was assessed. The data demonstrate that the simple, rapid, and uniform procedure described for exsanguination of rats prior to necropsy significantly (P < .05) reduces both absolute and relative liver and kidney weights with respect to weights from animals that are not exsanguinated. In addition, liver weight standard deviation relative to controls is significantly (P < .05) reduced, increasing sensitivity of the measurement. Exsanguination also decreases agonal change related variation in macroscopic tissue appearance, enhancing the gross examination.
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