Inbred Animal Strains

Tsutomu Kurosawa, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan

Published online: September 2009

DOI: 10.1002/9780470015902.a0001442.pub2

There are four main genetic types of laboratory animal used in biomedical research animal breeding systems: inbred strains, mutant strains, closed colony and hybrid animals. An inbred strain is one created by at least 20 generations of brother–sister mating; members share a unique set of characteristics. Outbred animal strain is an antonym. The cloned animals are ultimate forms which are genetically identical. Congenic strain is produced from gene-modified animals such as transgenic and knockout animals crossed to inbred strain for a precise analysis of modified genes. There are many disease model animals which are inbred to analyse the responsible gene of the target disease. For immunology, cancer research, transplantation technology and regenerative medicine, the usefulness of inbred animal strain is increased with the usage of embryonic stem (ES) and induced pluriopotent stem (iPS) cells. The quality control of inbred strain is made with genetic monitoring.

Key Concept

  • Inbred animal strain is part but main and key laboratory animals for fundamental biomedical research.
  • It is produced by brother–sister mating but its ultimate form is a cloned animal in which all of the genes are identical.
  • They are used for gene analysis and medicine as disease models.
  • There have been many incurable diseases which are caused by gene dysfunction are now treated using the fundamental knowledge found in inbred disease model animal strains.
  • The immunology and cancer research as fundamental medicine, and organ transplantation and regenerative medicine as modern medical technology have been advanced with its usage.
  • The knowledge of cell therapy will be advanced with the usage of inbred animal strain.
  • Before the application of ES and iPS cells for medical therapy, the fundamental research should be made on them.

Keywords: laboratory animal; brother–sister mating; cloned animal; gene analysis; disease model

Figure 1. R (coefficient of relationship; squares) and F (coefficient of inbreeding; circles) of brother and sister mating.
Figure 2. Diagram showing the production of a segregating inbred strain of mouse with chronic renal failure (ICGN/Oa).
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 References
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 Further Reading
    book Berry ML and Linder CC (2007) "Breeding System: Considerations, Genetic Fundamentals, Genetic Background, and Strain Types". In: Fox JG, Barthold SW, Davisson MT et al. (eds) The Mouse in Biomedical Research. History, Wild Mice, and Genetics, 2nd edn, pp. 53–78. Academic Press.
    ePath Boschert K (1998) NetVet The Electronic Zoo Rodents. [http://netvet.wustl.edu/rodents.htm].
    Davisson MT (1994) International Committee on Standardized Genetic Nomenclature for Mice, Chairperson: Rules and guidelines for genetic nomenclature in mice. Mouse Genome 92: vii–xxxii.
    ePath Davisson MT (1996) Rules for nomenclature of inbredstrains. [http://www.informatics.jax.org/support/nomen/strains.shtml].
    book Festing MFW (1979) InbredStrains in Biomedical Research. New York: Oxford University Press.
    ePath Festing MFW (1998) Inbredstrains of mice. [http://www.informatics.-jax.org/external/festing/mouse/STRAINS.shtml].
    ePath Festing MFW (1998) Inbredstrains of rats. [http://www.informatics.-jax.org/external/festing/rat/STRAINS.shtml].
    ePath International Mouse Strain Resource (IMSR) (2008) [http://www.informatics.jax.org/imsr/index.jsp].
    book Lyon MF and Searle AG (1989) Genetic Variants and Strains of the Laboratory Mouse, 2nd edn. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
    ePath The National Bioresource Project for Rat in Japan (2008) [http://www.anim.med.kyoto-u.ac.jp/nbr/default.aspx].
    book Zimmermann F, Weiss J and Reifenberg K (2000) "Breeding and Assisted Reproduction Techniques". In: Krinke GJ (ed.) The Laboratory Rat, pp. 177–198. Academic Press.

Related Sub-Topics:

Diagnostics, Therapeutics and Methods | Model Organisms and Human Disease
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Article Title: Inbred Animal Strains
 
How to Cite close
Kurosawa, Tsutomu(Sep 2009) Inbred Animal Strains. In: eLS. John Wiley & Sons Ltd, Chichester. http://www.els.net [doi: 10.1002/9780470015902.a0001442.pub2]