INTRODUCTION

Selection of animal model

 Use of an animal phylogenetically closer to

man

 Use of an animal in which the process under

investigation is as close as possible
 BIOLOGICAL NAMES
• Genus: which have common characteristics and which can
be divided into subordinate kinds. E.g. Rattus
• Species: similar individuals capable of exchanging genes or
interbreeding to produce offsprings . E.g. Rattus rattus or
norvegicus
• Breed: morphological differences in form or function, and
therefore tend to be external and visible. E.g. beagles and
mongrels in dogs
• Strain: share a presumed common ancestry and have clear-
cut physiological diff. that are often internal and invisible. E.g
Wistar or Sprague Dawley rats
• They have similar reproductive and nervous systems
to humans, and suffer from same diseases such as
cancer, diabetes and even anxiety

• Adv:
– Short gestation period (19-21 days)
– Short lifespan (1.5-2.5yrs)
– Small size
– Low cost of maintenance
 EXPERIMENTAL USES
• Toxicological studies
• Teratogenicity studies
• Bioassay of insulin, screening of analgesic and
anticonvulsant drugs
• Screening of chemotherapeutic agents
• Studies related to genetics and cancer research
 TRANSGENIC MICE
• A transgenic animal is one that carries a foreign gene
that has been deliberately inserted into its genome

• In 1970, Palmiter introduced the human GH gene

into mouse zygotes by pronuclear microinjection and
transgenic offspring demonstrated dramatic growth

• Genetically modified mice are used extensively in

research as models of human disease
 METHODS OF PRODUCING
TRANSGENIC MICE

• Transforming embryonic stem cells (ES cells)

growing in tissue culture with the desired DNA

• Injecting the desired gene into the pronucleus of a

fertilized mouse egg
• Small Size
• Greater Sensitivity to
most drugs
• Sturdy, Can withstand
long periods of
experimentation under
anesthesia
Wistar rat Sprague Dawley rat
 Baby Rats vs Mice
• Baby rat – blunt & broad large head. Mice
have triangular small head.
• Baby rat has small ears, mice have larger ears.
• Baby rat hind paw: body ratio larger than
mice.
• Baby rat tail is thick, shorter than body length.
Mice have tail thin, larger/same length (to
body)
 EXPERIMENTAL USES
• Study of analgesics and anticonvulsants
• Study of oestrus cycle, mating behaviour and lactation
• Gastric acid secretion
• Hepatotoxicity studies
• Bioassay of various hormones, such as insulin, oxytocin,
vasopressin
• Toxicology studies
• Rat brain tissue is extensively employed in radio-receptor
ligand studies
 EXPERIMENTAL USES
• Vaccines for diphtheria, TB, etc
• Hypersensitivity studies
• Anaphylactic shock
• Evaluation of bronchodilators
• Evaluation of local anaesthetics
• Terminal portion of ileum used for screening
spasmodic and anti spasmodic agents
• Nutritional studies (Ascorbic acid metabolism)
 EXPERIMENTAL USES
• Pyrogen testing
• Testing Topical agents as skin is sensitive
• Bioassay of anti-diabetic drugs , insulin, curaremimetic
drugs
• Studies related to antifertility agents
• It has simple cardiac tissue free of connective tissue
and hence is the animal of choice for cardiac studies
• Screening embryotoxic agents and teratogens
• TESTING OF COSMETICS USING DRAIZE TEST –

• Rabbits are commonly used in testing for cosmetics

and other chemicals

• This test involves the substance being placed on the

rabbit's eyes or skin, which are then observed for
redness, irritation or any other damage
 BIOLOGICAL & PHYSIOLOGICAL DATA
PARAMETER MOUSE RAT GUINEA PIG RABBIT

Typical adult 20-40 250 800 1500-5000

wt. (gm)

Average life 1.5-2.5 2-3 3-5 4-6

span (yrs)

Avg age for 3 wks 6wks 3 mths 6mths

expt.

Gestation 21 (3 wks) 21 (3wks) 68 (2 mths) 31 (1 mth)

period (days)

Avg litter size 6-12 8-10 3-4 6-8

No. of litters 8 6 4 4
per year

HR (beats/min) 350-750 300-500 250-400 130-300

BP 113/81 116/90 77/47 110/80

 Mongrel
Beagle
• Zebra fish mutants are currently used to
model many human diseases, including
Alzheimer’s disease, congenital heart disease,
polycystic kidney disease , cancers and
development of the nervous system
• The study of frog muscles in the 1920's led to
the discovery of neurotransmitter ACh
• Used in the study of action of drugs on CNS,
heart, neuromuscular junction
Studying embryonic development
• African clawed frog (Xenopus laevis) used for
studying early events, such as the formation
of the neural plate
 SUMMARY
• Mice(74%) and rats(7%) being extensively
used in pharmacological research

• Use of transgenic animals will help us to

better understand human disease & improve
health care
THANK YOU