Dear esteemed colleagues,
Does anyone have any insight why most of the neuroendocrine studies, i.e hypothalamus-pituitary-peripheral organs axis, are mostly studied in mice? I do know some studies were done in rat, and even there are some rat animal models (HFD, genetic models, streptozocin, etc) but to my knowledge this is overwhelmingly minor compared to mouse models.
Is there any particular reason, such as mice neuroendocrine system more closely mimics human's? Or is there any technical reason? Thank you!
Hi Yanuar
I've found lots of old papers in rats. Handling rats is always easier, their brain and bodies are x10 times larger, everything is easier with them. But since genetically modified animals are usually mice, they have become the species-of-use in the last two decades.
Optogenetics and pharmacogenetics can be done in rats as well, provided you get viral vectors designed for rats, which is not so difficult.
Both species are similar but not identical. Both are rodents, and good models for studying interesting issues for humans, I don't find advantages in mice or rats relative to their similarity to humans.
Good luck
Fernando
No, it is not completely related to mimic the humans; the hosting conditions (size, weight etc.), fundings and, ethical concerns (such as used animal numbers in a research project for the best P-value etc.) are included in this selection.
In my experience, rats are the best for handling and collected sample size from different brain tissue parts.
This article could be more explanation for your question;
Article Rodent models in neuroscience research: Is it a rat race?
Hi Yanuar,
Much of the early work was done in rats, but mice have become much more common due to the availability of KO's, specialized strains, optigenetic ready models, and other molecular techniques. For some specific fields, such as those that will include behavioral analyses, rats are preferable.
Hi Yanuar
I've found lots of old papers in rats. Handling rats is always easier, their brain and bodies are x10 times larger, everything is easier with them. But since genetically modified animals are usually mice, they have become the species-of-use in the last two decades.
Optogenetics and pharmacogenetics can be done in rats as well, provided you get viral vectors designed for rats, which is not so difficult.
Both species are similar but not identical. Both are rodents, and good models for studying interesting issues for humans, I don't find advantages in mice or rats relative to their similarity to humans.
Good luck
Fernando
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