ratstamme

Ratstämme, or rat strains, are genetically defined populations of laboratory rats maintained for biomedical research. Researchers use ratstämme to control genetic variation and to model human diseases under standardized conditions. Stämme can be inbred, outbred, congenic, or recombinant inbred, each offering different advantages for experimental design and reproducibility.

Inbred strains arise from continuous brother-sister mating for many generations, producing relatively uniform genotypes and phenotypes. They are valuable for studying genetic influences and for reproducibility across laboratories. Outbred strains maintain genetic diversity and resemble broader populations, which can be useful for generalizing results. Congenic and recombinant inbred lines combine specific genetic regions from different strains to investigate gene effects in a controlled background.

Common examples include Sprague-Dawley and Wistar (outbred), Fischer 344 (inbred), Lewis and Brown Norway (inbred), and Wistar Kyoto (inbred). Different strains show distinct baseline physiology and disease susceptibilities, which researchers exploit to model conditions such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, obesity, addiction, neurodegenerative disorders, stroke, and toxicology. Strain choice influences experimental outcomes and data interpretation, making proper strain selection a critical step in study design.

Ratstämme are produced and distributed by specialized breeding facilities under animal care and welfare guidelines. Ethical considerations emphasize the 3Rs (replacement, reduction, refinement), careful husbandry, and institutional oversight.