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Laboratory animals

September 26, 2004

A look at some of the animals most commonly used by medical researchers, and some of their most notable roles in biomedical research, both past and present.

MICE - Parkinson's disease, cancer, cystic fibrosis, Alzheimer's disease, heart disease, memory loss, muscular dystrophy, antibiotic development, meningitis vaccine.

RATS - drug addiction, depression, cancer, spinal cord injuries, autoimmune diseases, diabetes, hypertension, organ transplantation rejection.

CATS - neuron function, nerve impulses, vision, brain organization, AIDS, toxoplasmosis, lupus, diabetes, aging, cancer.

DOGS - diabetes, heart valve and artery replacement, angioplasty surgery and restenosis prevention, colostomy procedures, kidney and heart transplantation, hip replacement, narcolepsy, blindness, behavior.

PRIMATES - AIDS, hepatitis, acute respiratory disease, malaria, periodontal disease, Alzheimer's disease. Parkinson's disease, stroke and cardiovascular disease, mental and addictive disorders, polio and rubella vaccines, life support for premature babies.

PIGS - cardiac stents and pacemakers, restenosis, atherosclerosis, skin wound and burn healing, plastic and reconstructive surgery, xenotransplantation, gastric ulcers.

RABBITS - development of local anesthetics, corneal transplants, anthrax immunization, hypertension and atherosclerosis, emphysema, drug metabolism, immunity.

GUINEA PIGS - cholesterol and lipoprotein metabolism, diphtheria vaccine, whooping cough, respiratory effects of pollution.

HAMSTERS - Lyme disease, diabetes, development, growth and reproduction.

SOURCES: USDA, Foundation for Biomedical Research, American Association for Laboratory Animal Science. Partners in Research Defense Society.