Lab Anim Res.  2015 Dec;31(4):166-173. 10.5625/lar.2015.31.4.166.

Comparative analysis of growth characteristics of Sprague Dawley rats obtained from different sources

Affiliations
  • 1Boston Scientific Corporation, St. Paul, MN, USA. Vijay.Koya@bsci.com
  • 2Veteran Affairs Medical Center, Minnesota Obesity Center, Minneapolis, MN, USA.

Abstract

Genetic background in animal models is an intrinsic research variable in biomedical research. Although inbred strains offer genetic uniformity, the outbred stocks, known for genetic variability are often used to develop animal models of human disease. The genetic variability is considered to be even higher when outbred stocks are obtained from different sources. In order to examine the degree of variability of an outbred stock obtained from various sources, Sprague Dawley (SD) rat lines obtained from two sources were evaluated for their growth characteristics. The SD rats from Charles River laboratories (CRL) and Harlan Laboratories (HAR) were monitored for weight gain from the age of 6 weeks to 24 weeks. Food intake was monitored between 13 and 24 weeks. Body composition, organ weights, tibial lengths and blood parameters were measured. There was no difference observed in food intake per 100 gram body weight at most of the time points. CRL rats showed higher body fat mass (49.6%), higher gross liver weights (22.2%), lower testicular weights (30.8%) and lower cholesterol levels (25.4%) than HAR rats. Phenotypic differences may be attributed to genetic heterogeneity of the SD outbred stock between the two sources and represent a significant research variable impacting studies especially related to metabolic diseases. Therefore, in order the minimize research variables for those studies where genetic diversity is not a basis for experimental design, the use of single source genetically uniform inbred animal models is highly recommended over the use of outbred stocks.

Keyword

Sprague Dawley; genetics; outbreds; phenotype

MeSH Terms

Adipose Tissue
Animals
Body Composition
Body Weight
Cholesterol
Eating
Genetic Heterogeneity
Genetic Variation
Genetics
Humans
Liver
Metabolic Diseases
Models, Animal
Organ Size
Phenotype
Rats
Rats, Sprague-Dawley*
Research Design
Rivers
Weight Gain
Weights and Measures
Cholesterol

Figure

  • Figure 1 (A) Weekly mean body weight comparing CRLSD rats and HAR SD rats in Cohort 1 at 6 to 24 weeks of age: (N=6-12). *P≤0.05 **P≤0.01 (B) Weekly mean body weight comparing CRL SD rats and HAR SD rats in Cohort 2 at 6 to 24 weeks of age: (N=5-8). *P≤0.05 **P≤0.01 (C) Weekly mean body weight comparing CRL SD rats in Cohort 1 and Cohort 2 at 6 to 24 weeks of age: (N=6-8). *P≤0.05 **P≤0.01 (D) Weekly mean body weight comparing HAR SD rats in Cohort 1 and Cohort 2 at 6 to 24 weeks of age: (N=5-12). *P≤0.05 **P≤0.01

  • Figure 2 Weekly mean food intake (grams per 100 gram body weight) by group for each week: (N=5-8). **P≤0.01

  • Figure 3 (A) Mean total body fat per 100 gram body weight for CRL and HAR rats: (N=5 per group). **P≤0.01 (B) Mean lean body mass per 100 gram body weight for CRL and HAR rats: (N=5 per group). **P≤0.01

  • Figure 4 (A) Gross mean liver weights in grams in CRL and HAR rats, Cohort 1 and Cohort 2: (N=13-17). *P≤0.05 **P≤0.01 (B) Mean liver weight per 100 gram body weight for CRL and HAR rats, Cohort 1 and Cohort 2: (N=13-17). (C) Mean testicular weight per 100 gram body weight of CRL and HAR rats: (N=13-17) **P≤0.01 (D) Mean epididymal fat per 100 gram body weight for CRL and HAR rats: (N=5-8) **P≤0.01 (E) Average tibial length (mm) for CRL and Harlan rats. There was no significant difference in tibial lengths between the groups: (N=5-8).

  • Figure 5 Serum Cholesterol measurements of CRL and Harlan rats: (N=7-10). CRL: mean value=91. Harlan: mean value=122. The difference between the groups is significant (P≤0.01).


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