What is the significance of the Wistar rat?

What is the significance of the Wistar rat?

The Wistar rat is an outbred albino rat. This breed was developed at the Wistar Institute in 1906 for use in biological and medical research, and is notably the first rat developed to serve as a model organism at a time when laboratories primarily used the house mouse (Mus musculus).

Why is Wistar rat used for research?

Wistar albino rats were used for this study because their genetics, biological and behavioral characteristics are closely related to that of humans [61] . The rats were given free access to standard rat chow (Capsfeed, Osogbo, Osun State, Nigeria) and water throughout the experimental period. …

Are Sprague Dawley rats inbred?

In the rat, Sprague-Dawley and Wistar outbred stocks accounted for 86% of the total. The most widely used inbred strains were F344 and LEW, which accounted for 11% of hits.

Are Sprague Dawley rats nocturnal?

They are nocturnal animals but adapt to their environments.

What is the difference between Wistar and Sprague Dawley?

Wistar Rats – Long ears, tail length shorter than body length and wider head. Sprague Dawley Rats – Longer and Narrower head, tail longer than body (may equal to body length).

Why is the rat a most commonly used laboratory animal for biomedical research?

Most of the mice and rats used in medical trials are inbred so they are almost identical genetically helping to make the results of medical trials more uniform. Another reason they’re used as models in medical testing is that their genetic, biological and behavior characteristics closely resemble those of humans.

Are Wistar rats outbred?

Wistar rats are albino and outbred and originate from a stock established in the Wistar Institute (Philadelphia, PA, USA) in the early 1900’s. Rats from the Wistar Institute were distributed globally and now there are many stocks available from different breeders in different countries.

What are the characteristics of Sprague Dawley rats?

The Sprague Dawley rat is an outbred multipurpose breed of albino rat used extensively in medical research. Its main advantage is its calmness and ease of handling. This breed of rat was first produced by the Sprague Dawley farms (later to become the Sprague Dawley Animal Company) in Madison, Wisconsin.

How long do Wistar rats live?

The maximum lifespan of the Wistar strain, for example, is about 1200 days (3.2 years) for males and 1400 days (3.8 years) for females. Median lifespan for the Wistar rat is 850 days for males and 900 days for females (Ghirardi et al. 1995 ).

What is the difference between albino rats and Wistar rats?

Difference between “Wistar” And “Sprague Dawley rats”: Wistar rat: The Wistar rat is an outbred albino rat. The Wistar rat is currently one of the most popular rats used for laboratory research. It is characterized by its wide head, long ears, and a tail length that is always less than its body length.

How do rats help the environment?

Rats are rodents that do actually serve a purpose in the ecosystem. They are scavengers and opportunistic eaters. They will eat garbage and other things that people throw away. Plus, rats are important as part of the predatory ecosystem.

How much do Sprague Dawley rats cost?

SD Females

Age in Weeks Quantity
1-999
5 to 6 $30.00
7 to 8 $44.00
9 to 10 $46.00

Do Sprague Dawley rats grow tumors at a higher rate?

However, since these rats are known to grow tumors at a high (and very variable) rate, the study was considered flawed in design and its findings unsubstantiated. Sprague – Dawley (SD) rats kept at room temperature do have a higher growth rate and food conversion compared to Wistar rats.

What is the history of the Wistar rat?

Wistar rat: The Wistar rat is an outbred albino rat. This breed was developed at the Wistar Institute in 1906 for use in biological and medical research and is notably the first rat developed to serve as a model organism at a time when laboratories primarily used the common house mouse ( Mus musculus ).

Are Wistar rats more active than other rats?

Wistar rats are more active than others like Sprague Dawley rats. The spontaneously hypertensive rat and the Lewis rat are other well-known stocks developed from Wistar rats.

What kind of rats are used for research?

The Wistar rat is currently one of the most popular rats used for laboratory research. It is characterized by its wide head, long ears, and a tail length that is always less than its body length. The Sprague Dawley rat and Long–Evans rat were developed from Wistar rats.

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