Rats (Rattus Norvegicus)

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SpragueDawleyRat.jpg

Laboratory rats or lab rats are strains of the rat subspecies Rattus norvegicus domestica which are bred and kept for scientific research. While less commonly used for research than laboratory mice, rats have served as an important animal model for research in psychology and biomedical science.[1]

Strains used in Longevity Research

Strain Characteristics Typical Lifespan Prone Diseases Notable Research Findings Relevance to Longevity Research
Wistar General-purpose strain, albino coat 2-3 years Kidney diseases, tumors Extensively studied in toxicology and pharmacology Commonly used in aging studies due to well-documented lifespan
Sprague Dawley Outbred, albino, large size 2-2.5 years Heart disease, diabetes Often used in cancer research Popular for age-related disease studies
Brown Norway Inbred, brown coat, long lifespan 3-3.5 years Less prone to cancer, but susceptible to respiratory disease Studies have shown exceptional aging characteristics Known for its exceptionally long lifespan, useful for studying aging processes
Fischer 344 Inbred, albino, prone to certain age-related diseases 2-2.5 years High incidence of leukemia, immune system decline Common model for immunosenescence studies Frequently used in gerontology for studying age-related pathologies
Long-Evans Outbred, hooded coat, good healthspan 2-3 years Obesity, neurological disorders Used in behavioral and obesity research Utilized in research focusing on the quality of life and health in old age
SHR (Spontaneously Hypertensive Rat) Inbred, used in cardiovascular research 1.5-2 years Cardiovascular diseases, stroke Key model in hypertension and stroke research Valuable for studying the interplay between hypertension and aging

See Also

References

  1. Vandenbergh; "Use of House Mice in Biomedical Research" , https://doi.org/10.1093/ilar.41.3.133