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The searchable Rat Strain List
is based on data compiled by Dr. Michael F.W. Festing (see
below).
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14 June 1996.
Michael F.W. Festing
For the committee on Genetic Nomenclature of the Rat:
T.J. Gill III, T. Nomura, G.W. Butcher, E. Günther, H.W. Kunz,
G. Levan, K. Moriwaki, T. Natori, H. Katoh
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The first listing of rat strains was by Billingham and Silvers
(1959), with subsequent listings by Festing and Staats (1973) and
Festing (1979a,b). This latest listing is based on that list plus
several recent updates, including Greenhouse et al (1991). Particular
attention has been paid to studies involving several strains, and
where possible strains have been ranked on their characteristics with
approximately the top quartile being classified as "high" and the
bottom as "low". Thus, 'low litter size (10/12)' indicates that the
strain in question ranked 10th. of 12 strains in which litter size
was reported in a particular study. It must be emphasised that strain
rankings may alter in different environmental conditions, so these
should only be taken as a guide.
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It is clear from the listings that there are many inbred strains of
rat, but little is known about most of them. Many of them are likely
to have characteristics of interest. More effort in characterising
these strains would probably be cost-effective. Comparative studies
involving several (six or more) strains, preferably including F344
and LEW as "standard" strains would be particularly valuable.
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The following gene symbols have been used in the listings without
further explanation:
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Symbol
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Name
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A
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Agouti
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a
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Non-agouti
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H
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Non-hooded
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h
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Hooded
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hi
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Irish hooding (much more black than h)
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P
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Non-pink-eyed (ie, wild type)
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p
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Pink-eyed dilute.
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The complete reference list is available here.
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