Wistar

Wistar is a widely used strain of albino laboratory rat (Rattus norvegicus). It was developed at the Wistar Institute in Philadelphia in the early 20th century and named after the institution. The Wistar rat is typically maintained as an outbred stock, though many laboratories derive specialized lines from the original population for particular research needs.

Characteristics of the Wistar rat include white fur and pink eyes, a calm and docile temperament, and robust health under laboratory conditions. The strain is valued for its large size among common rat models and its versatility in a broad range of experimental procedures. Wistar rats are frequently employed as general-purpose models in physiology, metabolism, pharmacology, toxicology, cancer biology, neuroscience, and immunology, and they serve as controls or recipients in transplantation and surgical studies. In some cases, researchers compare results obtained in Wistar rats with those from other strains such as Sprague-Dawley or Long-Evans.

In practice, Wistar rats are bred and housed under standard laboratory welfare guidelines, with attention to enrichment, environmental control, and health monitoring. When required for specific research programs, facilities may maintain pathogen-free colonies or derive more specialized lines from the original Wistar stock.

See also: Sprague-Dawley rat, Long-Evans rat, laboratory rat.