Potential errors in the measurement of total protein in male rat urine using test strips

Widely differing results were obtained for urinary protein determinations in male rats using 2 test strips and a quantitative Coomassie Blue sodium dodecyl sulphate method. A comparison of the sensitivity of the protein methods with respect to rat albumin and alpha 2U globulin was made; both test strips were found to be relatively insensitive to the presence of alpha 2U globulin. Resultant limitations of test strips in monitoring adult male rat urine protein concentrations are discussed.