Commonly referred to as SD | Also known as: NTac:SD
Commonly referred to as SD | Also known as: NTac:SD
The Sprague Dawley® rat is one of the most widely used outbred models in biomedical research, valued for its rapid growth and robust reproductive performance. Developed and maintained under strict genetic monitoring, Taconic’s Sprague Dawley® rats offer consistent performance across a broad range of research applications, including toxicology, neuroscience, and cardiovascular disease. Their genetic diversity enhances translational relevance, making them a trusted choice for studies requiring a representative population model. With global availability and high health standards, the Sprague Dawley rat is a reliable and versatile tool for advancing preclinical research.
| Model No. | Nomenclature | Genotype |
|---|---|---|
| SD-F | NTac:SD | |
| SD-M | NTac:SD |
Nomenclature: NTac:SD
Origin
The Sprague Dawley® outbred model was developed by Sprague Dawley, Inc. NIH received stock from Sprague Dawley, Inc in 1945. The rats are maintained as an outbred closed colony. Taconic received stock from the NIH Animal Genetic Resource in 1970. The rats were refreshed with NIH Genetic Resource stock in 1998.
Transit, Housing & Welfare
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Packing Practices
Taconic standard practice is to recombine animals of different home cages and/or ages from a single model and sex during packing, except in specific cases where Taconic's animal welfare policy prohibits recombination due to aggression or other concerns. When an order is fulfilled with animals from more than one week of birth, this standard practice results in animals from a range of birth weeks packed together in a single TTC. When an order is fulfilled with animals from genotyped models, this standard practice results in animals from different home cages packed together in a single TTC.
Customers who wish to keep animals from different weeks of birth separated should place orders with the special instruction "Divide and label by age." Note that this special request can result in increased costs for additional Taconic Transit Cages, dividers and/or freight charges.
Taconic discourages other types of custom packing requests as they can have a negative impact on animal welfare. Learn more.
Taconic's breeding specialists use proven, highly effective procedures to generate timed pregnant mice and rats. While gestational age cannot be determined with total precision, strict adherence to pre-defined mating procedures, and close monitoring of female mice and rats after they are co-housed with males, can accurately define the 24-hour period during which mating, and presumably, conception occurs.
Procedures
Tips for Ordering
Pregnant Animal Recommendations and Policies
| Model Type | Under 14 days Gestation | 14+ days Gestation |
|---|---|---|
| SD Rats | 95% | 100% |
| Outbred Mice | 75% | 100% |
| Inbred Mice | 60% | 75% |
| Parameter | Units | Sprague Dawley® Males | Sprague Dawley® Females |
|---|---|---|---|
| Serum Chemistry | Avg ± S.D. | ||
| Calcium | mg/dL | 12.3 ± 0.4 | 11.4 ± 3.5 |
| Phosphorous | mg/dL | 12.6 ± 1.1 | 12.4 ± 1.4 |
| Glucose | mg/dL | 82.4 ± 11.3 | 93.2 ± 10.3 |
| Creatinine | mg/dL | 0.3 ± 0.1 | 0.3 ± 0.1 |
| BUN | mg/dL | 9.1 ± 1.4 | 13.6 ± 3.0 |
| Total Bilirubin | mg/dL | 0.1 ± 0.0 | 0.1 ± 0.0 |
| ALK | U/L | 227.7 ± 36.1 | 142.5 ± 33.9 |
| ALT U/L | U/L | 29.3 ± 3.4 | 22.5 ± 3.9 |
| Total Protein | g/dL | 6.4 ± 0.2 | 6.7 ± 0.2 |
| Blood Counts | |||
| Erythron | |||
| Red Blood Cells | X106/uL | 6.9 ± 0.3 | 7.7 ± 0.3 |
| Nucleated RBC | X106/uL | 0 | 0 |
| Hemoglobin | g/dL | 14.5 ± 0.8 | 16.1 ± 0.6 |
| Hematocrit | % | 48.3 ± 2.3 | 51.2 ± 2.6 |
| MCV | fL | 69.9 ± 1.7 | 66.9 ± 0.9 |
| MCH | pG | 20.9 ± 1.3 | 21.0 ± 1.1 |
| MCHC | % | 29.9 ± 1.6 | 31.4 ± 1.9 |
| Platelets | |||
| Platelets | X103/uL | 1358.0 ± 123.8 | 1262.2 ± 278.4 |
| Leukogram | |||
| White Blood Cells | x103/uL | 9.4 ± 3.2 | 6.0 ± 1.5 |
| Neutrophil | x103/uL | 0.9 ± 0.5 | 0.4 ± 0.3 |
| Bands | x103/uL | 0 | 0 |
| Lymphocyte | x103/uL | 8.3 ± 2.9 | 5.5 ± 1.4 |
| Monocytes | x103/uL | 0.3 ± 0.3 | 0.1 ± 0.1 |
| Eosinophil | x103/uL | 0 | 0 |
| Basophils | x103/uL | 0 | 0 |
| Others | x103/uL | 0 | 0 |
| Organ Weights | |||
| Stomach | g | 2.02 ± 0.12 | 1.54 ± 0.17 |
| Ileum | g | 6.19 ± 0.62 | 4.83 ± 0.35 |
| Colon | g | 0.77 ± 0.37 | 0.85 ± 0.21 |
| Lungs | g | 1.69 ± 0.14 | 1.31 ± 0.19 |
| Heart | g | 1.24 ± 0.14 | 0.90 ± 0.10 |
| Liver | g | 11.37 ± 1.12 | 7.17 ± 0.62 |
| Spleen/Pancreas | g | 1.58 ± 0.15 | 1.17 ± 0.23 |
| Kidney (L) | g | 1.08 ± 0.1 | 0.82 ± 0.08 |
| Kidney (R) | g | 1.09 ± 0.09 | 0.85 ± 0.08 |
| Testes (L) | g | 1.33 ± 0.17 | - |
| Testes (R) | g | 1.33 ± 0.14 | - |
| Ovary (L) | g | - | 0.08 ± 0.01 |
| Ovary (R) | g | - | 0.08 ± 0.01 |
| Urinalysis | |||
| Glucose | mg/dL | Negative | Negative |
| Blood | - | Negative | Negative |
| pH | - | 6.75 ± 0.35 | 6.7 ± 0.4 |
| Protein | mg/dL | N/A | N/A |
| Specific Gravity | - | 1.0195 ± 0.0068 | 1.0155 ± 0.0079 |
A quantity of twenty rats (ten males and ten females) was submitted for testing, strain identified as Line Sprague Dawley® (NTac:SD), age 7 weeks. Rats were received at RBU 3, Taconic Biotechnology, Albany NY and acclimated for three days on irradiated NIH #31M Rodent Diet and sterilized water ad lib, sterile contact bedding (paper chip) and a 12:12 light:dark cycle. All animals appeared normal during this period and routine health surveillance of this colony detected no microbial pathogens. Rats were assigned study unique identification numbers (males 1-10, females 11-20).
All rats were placed in metabolic cages and an overnight urine sample was collected. Urine analysis was performed using Multistix 10 SG (Bayer). Strips were read and recorded as per the manufacturer's instructions, and the results are presented in Table 2.
A terminal blood sample was taken from Carbon Dioxide - anesthetized rats via cardiac puncture. The collected blood was divided into two samples. One sample was treated with EDTA and stored at 4°C for hematological evaluation. Another sample was allowed to clot at 4°C for 30 minutes, and then centrifuged at 7000rpm for 10 minutes, and the serum was decanted and frozen at -80°C for clinical chemistry analysis. A slide smear was made from a single drop of whole blood. Frozen serum, chilled whole blood and slides were delivered to LabCorp (RTP, NC) for analysis; the results are presented in Table 3. Unless otherwise indicated, serum chemistry data is generated from a Hitachi 717 automated analyzer and hematological data is generated from a Celldyne 3500. WBC differential counts are performed manually.
All rats were euthanized and bodyweights were recorded. Representative tissues were collected, weighed, and immersion fixed in 10% Neutral Buffered Formalin. Tissues were delivered to the Taconic Anmed lab (Rockville, MD) for histological preparation and evaluation. Tabulation of organ weights is presented in Table 4. The pathologist’s summary and detailed histological descriptions follow.
All animals were thrifty on arrival and appeared clinically normal. Locomotor behavior was normal and there were no visible lesions or discharges at the mucous membranes. All tissues appeared normal on gross necropsy evaluation and weights were within normal limits. There were no unusual findings upon collection of these tissues nor otherwise observed in the body cavities.
The overall profile of these rats is consistent with expectations of a general-purpose rat. None of the parameters are indicative of impaired system function.
| Weeks of Age | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Female | 152.71 | 184.13 | 209.71 | 227.55 | 241.11 |
| Male | 163.01 | 225.98 | 276.15 | 306.93 | 336.53 |
| Weeks of Age | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Female | 256.33 | 260.37 | 271.94 | 279.08 | 291.5 |
| Male | 361.71 | 378.11 | 396.8 | 412.86 | 431.21 |
| Weeks of Age | 16 | 17 | 18 | 22 | 26 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Female | 295.22 | 298.41 | 303.42 | 315.48 | 335.41 |
| Male | 441.56 | 454.14 | 461.01 | 491.98 | 514.05 |
| Weeks of Age | 30 | 34 | 38 | 42 | 46 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Female | 350.74 | 357.83 | 368.19 | 383.44 | 392.05 |
| Male | 528.94 | 544.33 | 556.88 | 568.96 | 568.41 |
| Weeks of Age | 50 | 54 | 58 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Female | 408.44 | 421.01 | 426.79 |
| Male | 579.1 | 584.42 | 577.79 |
For some applications, weight may be critical. For orders where weight is critical, please place orders by weight, not by age. Taconic can accept orders by weight for this model. For orders sourced from US or Denmark a production minimum 15 gram span is accepted. All weights are weights at time of packing. Mice and rats can lose weight in transit. Orders for specific weight spans will be assessed a nominal fee. More detail on weight order policies is available.
n= 500 per sex at MPF, RF and EF health standards from all global colonies. Data collected 2013-15.
High and Low represent mean +/- 1 standard deviation.
Based on sample size the charts above represents ~68% of the population.
All growth curves represent animals housed in our barriers, at our standard density and fed NIH31-M diet. Variations at customer facilities will alter expected growth curves.
Growth charts are provided only as a guide, if a specific weight criteria is needed please order animals by weight.
Customize this chart by clicking the legend elements.
Terms of Sale and Use for Sprague Dawley®
These models are sold subject to Taconic's Terms and Conditions for Taconic's Models, Products and Services
Available now
| Age in Weeks | Quantity 1 - 999 |
|---|---|
| 3 to 4 | US$36.25 |
| 5 to 6 | US$39.50 |
| 7 to 8 | US$57.50 |
| 9 to 10 | US$59.75 |
| 11 | US$66.50 |
| 12 | US$75.00 |
| 13 | US$84.50 |
| 14 | US$93.00 |
| 15 | US$100.25 |
| SD-FL | Quantity 1 - 199 |
|---|---|
| female with litter | US$212.25 |
| SD-RF | Quantity 1 - 199 |
|---|---|
| retired female breeder | US$67.25 |
Available now
| Age in Weeks | Quantity 1 - 999 |
|---|---|
| 3 to 4 | US$36.25 |
| 5 to 6 | US$39.50 |
| 7 to 8 | US$58.75 |
| 9 to 10 | US$71.50 |
| 11 | US$85.50 |
| 12 | US$98.25 |
| 13 | US$112.00 |
| 14 | US$124.50 |
| 15 | US$144.75 |
| 16 | US$154.25 |
| 17 | US$166.75 |
| SD-RM | Quantity 1 - 199 |
|---|---|
| retired male breeder | US$82.00 |
Available now
| Age in Weeks | Quantity 1 - 999 |
|---|---|
| 3 to 4 | US$82.00 |
| 5 to 6 | US$86.25 |
| 7 to 8 | US$97.00 |
| 9 to 10 | US$118.25 |
| 11 | US$132.00 |
| 12 | US$148.75 |
| 13 | US$166.75 |
| 14 | US$181.50 |
| 15 | US$198.50 |
| SD-FL | Quantity 1 - 199 |
|---|---|
| female with litter | US$318.75 |
Available now
| Age in Weeks | Quantity 1 - 999 |
|---|---|
| 3 to 4 | US$72.50 |
| 5 to 6 | US$74.50 |
| 7 to 8 | US$108.75 |
| 9 to 10 | US$140.75 |
| 11 | US$154.25 |
| 12 | US$184.75 |
| 13 | US$202.75 |
| 14 | US$218.50 |
| 15 | US$250.25 |
Available now
| Age in Weeks | Quantity 1 - 999 |
|---|---|
| 3 to 4 | 32,75 € |
| 5 to 6 | 36,00 € |
| 7 to 8 | 51,75 € |
| 9 to 10 | 53,75 € |
| 11 | 60,00 € |
| 12 | 68,25 € |
| 13 | 76,75 € |
| 14 | 84,00 € |
| 15 | 90,25 € |
| SD-FL | Quantity 1 - 199 |
|---|---|
| female with litter | 191,00 € |
| SD-RF | Quantity 1 - 199 |
|---|---|
| retired female breeder | 60,25 € |
Available now
| Age in Weeks | Quantity 1 - 999 |
|---|---|
| 3 to 4 | 32,75 € |
| 5 to 6 | 36,00 € |
| 7 to 8 | 52,75 € |
| 9 to 10 | 64,50 € |
| 11 | 77,75 € |
| 12 | 89,25 € |
| 13 | 100,75 € |
| 14 | 112,50 € |
| 15 | 131,25 € |
| 16 | 139,75 € |
| 17 | 151,25 € |
| SD-RM | Quantity 1 - 199 |
|---|---|
| retired male breeder | 74,00 € |
Available now
| Age in Weeks | Quantity 1 - 999 |
|---|---|
| 3 to 4 | 74,00 € |
| 5 to 6 | 78,25 € |
| 7 to 8 | 87,75 € |
| 9 to 10 | 106,75 € |
| 11 | 119,75 € |
| 12 | 134,50 € |
| 13 | 151,25 € |
| 14 | 165,00 € |
| 15 | 179,75 € |
| SD-FL | Quantity 1 - 199 |
|---|---|
| female with litter | 287,25 € |
Available now
| Age in Weeks | Quantity 1 - 999 |
|---|---|
| 3 to 4 | 65,50 € |
| 5 to 6 | 67,50 € |
| 7 to 8 | 98,25 € |
| 9 to 10 | 126,75 € |
| 11 | 139,75 € |
| 12 | 167,00 € |
| 13 | 183,75 € |
| 14 | 197,50 € |
| 15 | 227,00 € |
Available now
| Age in Weeks | Quantity 1 - 999 |
|---|---|
| 3 to 4 | kr.244,00 |
| 5 to 6 | kr.267,00 |
| 7 to 8 | kr.385,25 |
| 9 to 10 | kr.400,25 |
| 11 | kr.445,50 |
| 12 | kr.508,50 |
| 13 | kr.570,50 |
| 14 | kr.625,25 |
| 15 | kr.672,50 |
| SD-FL | Quantity 1 - 199 |
|---|---|
| female with litter | kr.1.422,00 |
| SD-RF | Quantity 1 - 199 |
|---|---|
| retired female breeder | kr.447,75 |
Available now
| Age in Weeks | Quantity 1 - 999 |
|---|---|
| 3 to 4 | kr.244,00 |
| 5 to 6 | kr.267,00 |
| 7 to 8 | kr.392,75 |
| 9 to 10 | kr.479,25 |
| 11 | kr.579,00 |
| 12 | kr.664,00 |
| 13 | kr.750,25 |
| 14 | kr.836,25 |
| 15 | kr.977,00 |
| 16 | kr.1.040,00 |
| 17 | kr.1.125,25 |
| SD-RM | Quantity 1 - 199 |
|---|---|
| retired male breeder | kr.550,00 |
Available now
| Age in Weeks | Quantity 1 - 999 |
|---|---|
| 3 to 4 | kr.550,00 |
| 5 to 6 | kr.581,75 |
| 7 to 8 | kr.652,50 |
| 9 to 10 | kr.792,75 |
| 11 | kr.891,00 |
| 12 | kr.1.000,25 |
| 13 | kr.1.125,25 |
| 14 | kr.1.227,25 |
| 15 | kr.1.336,50 |
| SD-FL | Quantity 1 - 199 |
|---|---|
| female with litter | kr.2.136,75 |
Available now
| Age in Weeks | Quantity 1 - 999 |
|---|---|
| 3 to 4 | kr.486,75 |
| 5 to 6 | kr.502,50 |
| 7 to 8 | kr.730,50 |
| 9 to 10 | kr.942,75 |
| 11 | kr.1.040,00 |
| 12 | kr.1.243,00 |
| 13 | kr.1.368,00 |
| 14 | kr.1.469,75 |
| 15 | kr.1.688,25 |
Available now
| Age in Weeks | Quantity 1 - 999 |
|---|---|
| 3 to 4 | US$36.25 |
| 5 to 6 | US$39.50 |
| 7 to 8 | US$57.50 |
| 9 to 10 | US$59.75 |
| 11 | US$66.50 |
| 12 | US$75.00 |
| 13 | US$84.50 |
| 14 | US$93.00 |
| 15 | US$100.25 |
| SD-FL | Quantity 1 - 199 |
|---|---|
| female with litter | US$212.25 |
| SD-RF | Quantity 1 - 199 |
|---|---|
| retired female breeder | US$67.25 |
Available now
| Age in Weeks | Quantity 1 - 999 |
|---|---|
| 3 to 4 | US$36.25 |
| 5 to 6 | US$39.50 |
| 7 to 8 | US$58.75 |
| 9 to 10 | US$71.50 |
| 11 | US$85.50 |
| 12 | US$98.25 |
| 13 | US$112.00 |
| 14 | US$124.50 |
| 15 | US$144.75 |
| 16 | US$154.25 |
| 17 | US$166.75 |
| SD-RM | Quantity 1 - 199 |
|---|---|
| retired male breeder | US$82.00 |
Available now
| Age in Weeks | Quantity 1 - 999 |
|---|---|
| 3 to 4 | US$82.00 |
| 5 to 6 | US$86.25 |
| 7 to 8 | US$97.00 |
| 9 to 10 | US$118.25 |
| 11 | US$132.00 |
| 12 | US$148.75 |
| 13 | US$166.75 |
| 14 | US$181.50 |
| 15 | US$198.50 |
| SD-FL | Quantity 1 - 199 |
|---|---|
| female with litter | US$318.75 |
Available now
| Age in Weeks | Quantity 1 - 999 |
|---|---|
| 3 to 4 | US$72.50 |
| 5 to 6 | US$74.50 |
| 7 to 8 | US$108.75 |
| 9 to 10 | US$140.75 |
| 11 | US$154.25 |
| 12 | US$184.75 |
| 13 | US$202.75 |
| 14 | US$218.50 |
| 15 | US$250.25 |
Available now
| Age in Weeks | Quantity 1 - 999 |
|---|---|
| 3 to 4 | 32,75 € |
| 5 to 6 | 36,00 € |
| 7 to 8 | 51,75 € |
| 9 to 10 | 53,75 € |
| 11 | 60,00 € |
| 12 | 68,25 € |
| 13 | 76,75 € |
| 14 | 84,00 € |
| 15 | 90,25 € |
| SD-FL | Quantity 1 - 199 |
|---|---|
| female with litter | 191,00 € |
| SD-RF | Quantity 1 - 199 |
|---|---|
| retired female breeder | 60,25 € |
Available now
| Age in Weeks | Quantity 1 - 999 |
|---|---|
| 3 to 4 | 32,75 € |
| 5 to 6 | 36,00 € |
| 7 to 8 | 52,75 € |
| 9 to 10 | 64,50 € |
| 11 | 77,75 € |
| 12 | 89,25 € |
| 13 | 100,75 € |
| 14 | 112,50 € |
| 15 | 131,25 € |
| 16 | 139,75 € |
| 17 | 151,25 € |
| SD-RM | Quantity 1 - 199 |
|---|---|
| retired male breeder | 74,00 € |
Available now
| Age in Weeks | Quantity 1 - 999 |
|---|---|
| 3 to 4 | 74,00 € |
| 5 to 6 | 78,25 € |
| 7 to 8 | 87,75 € |
| 9 to 10 | 106,75 € |
| 11 | 119,75 € |
| 12 | 134,50 € |
| 13 | 151,25 € |
| 14 | 165,00 € |
| 15 | 179,75 € |
| SD-FL | Quantity 1 - 199 |
|---|---|
| female with litter | 287,25 € |
Available now
| Age in Weeks | Quantity 1 - 999 |
|---|---|
| 3 to 4 | 65,50 € |
| 5 to 6 | 67,50 € |
| 7 to 8 | 98,25 € |
| 9 to 10 | 126,75 € |
| 11 | 139,75 € |
| 12 | 167,00 € |
| 13 | 183,75 € |
| 14 | 197,50 € |
| 15 | 227,00 € |
Available now
| Age in Weeks | Quantity 1 - 999 |
|---|---|
| 3 to 4 | kr.244,00 |
| 5 to 6 | kr.267,00 |
| 7 to 8 | kr.385,25 |
| 9 to 10 | kr.400,25 |
| 11 | kr.445,50 |
| 12 | kr.508,50 |
| 13 | kr.570,50 |
| 14 | kr.625,25 |
| 15 | kr.672,50 |
| SD-FL | Quantity 1 - 199 |
|---|---|
| female with litter | kr.1.422,00 |
| SD-RF | Quantity 1 - 199 |
|---|---|
| retired female breeder | kr.447,75 |
Available now
| Age in Weeks | Quantity 1 - 999 |
|---|---|
| 3 to 4 | kr.244,00 |
| 5 to 6 | kr.267,00 |
| 7 to 8 | kr.392,75 |
| 9 to 10 | kr.479,25 |
| 11 | kr.579,00 |
| 12 | kr.664,00 |
| 13 | kr.750,25 |
| 14 | kr.836,25 |
| 15 | kr.977,00 |
| 16 | kr.1.040,00 |
| 17 | kr.1.125,25 |
| SD-RM | Quantity 1 - 199 |
|---|---|
| retired male breeder | kr.550,00 |
Available now
| Age in Weeks | Quantity 1 - 999 |
|---|---|
| 3 to 4 | kr.550,00 |
| 5 to 6 | kr.581,75 |
| 7 to 8 | kr.652,50 |
| 9 to 10 | kr.792,75 |
| 11 | kr.891,00 |
| 12 | kr.1.000,25 |
| 13 | kr.1.125,25 |
| 14 | kr.1.227,25 |
| 15 | kr.1.336,50 |
| SD-FL | Quantity 1 - 199 |
|---|---|
| female with litter | kr.2.136,75 |
Available now
| Age in Weeks | Quantity 1 - 999 |
|---|---|
| 3 to 4 | kr.486,75 |
| 5 to 6 | kr.502,50 |
| 7 to 8 | kr.730,50 |
| 9 to 10 | kr.942,75 |
| 11 | kr.1.040,00 |
| 12 | kr.1.243,00 |
| 13 | kr.1.368,00 |
| 14 | kr.1.469,75 |
| 15 | kr.1.688,25 |
Need help choosing the right Taconic Biosciences health standard for your research?
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Sprague Dawley rats are a preferred choice for researchers across a wide range of disciplines due to their well-documented performance in preclinical studies. As an outbred model, they closely mirror human populations, making them especially valuable for toxicology, neuroscience, and cardiovascular research, and contribute to reliable, reproducible results.
When it comes to Sprague Dawley rats, Taconic Biosciences is a trusted partner. With decades of experience in breeding and maintaining high-quality mouse models, Taconic ensures that every Sprague Dawley rat meets rigorous standards for health and genetic integrity. Researchers can rely on Taconic’s robust quality control systems and global distribution network to support their studies with dependable, high-performing animal models.
Sprague Dawley® rats are a trusted choice for researchers seeking consistency and reliability in preclinical studies. Taconic Biosciences offers SD rats of exceptional quality, ready to support your next study. Order today to streamline your research.
Smart Select Program
To help alleviate uncertainty in selecting a new model, we offer a free animal trial program that allows you to test the quality, consistency, and availability of Taconic’s rodent models. Pilot our most popular mouse or rat models in your facility at no cost to your organization with the Smart Select program.