比格犬垂体囊肿的组织形态学研究

目的研究比格犬垂体囊肿自发性病变的发生情况,以建立适用于GLP的实验动物背景资料。方法采用常规组织学方法,对60只8～10月龄实验对照组比格犬垂体进行组织病理学检查,光学显微镜下描述垂体囊肿的组织形态学特点并统计其发生率。结果囊肿多出现在垂体的远侧部,囊壁由一层扁平或立方状上皮构成,囊腔内可见黏液状物;囊肿总体发生率为23.3%,其中雌性为13.3%,雄性为33.3%。结论应加强比格犬自发病变的病理监测,为药物安全性评价提供实验动物的背景资料。     

微卫星DNA标记在近交系大鼠HFJ和MIJ遗传监测中的应用

目的 用24对引物对近交系HFJ和MIJ大鼠的微卫星位点进行多态性分析,并选用近交系Lewis和F344大鼠作为对照,进行比较分析.方法 用传统的酚-氯仿法分别提取4个近交系大鼠MIJ、HFJ、Lewis和F344 的基因组DNA,选取大鼠24个微卫星位点,通过PCR扩增,扩增产物经过非变性聚丙烯酰胺凝胶电泳和银染,根据电泳结果,比较分析4种品系近交系大鼠之间微卫星多态性.结果 4种品系及品系内不同个体的近交系大鼠在24个微卫星位点上的扩增产物均出现一个条带,MIJ和HFJ大鼠在品系间和品系内均表现为单态性,同Lewis 和F344的扩增结果比较,14个位点显示多态性,有10个位点显示单态性.结论 两个近交系大鼠品系MIJ和HFJ符合近交系要求,筛选出的14个多态性微卫星位点可用于有关近交系大鼠的遗传背景监测.     

Wistar大鼠的自发肿瘤病变及其发生率

目的了解Wistar大鼠的各种自发性肿瘤病变及其发生率。方法致癌实验中的对照组,采用4周龄SPF级Wistar大鼠,雌、雄性大鼠各60只,实验前观察1周,常规饲料喂饲104周后处死,进行组织病理学检查。结果报告了Wistar大鼠的各种自发性肿瘤病变及其发生率。雄性大鼠中发生肿瘤的动物占49.12%,发生良性肿瘤的动物占38.60%、发生恶性肿瘤的动物占17.54%;良性肿瘤主要有垂体腺瘤(19.30%)、睾丸间质细胞瘤(5.26%)和皮下纤维瘤(5.26%);恶性肿瘤主要有鳞状细胞癌(7.02%)和淋巴造血系统肿瘤(3.51%)。雌性大鼠中发生肿瘤的动物占60.34%;发生良性肿瘤的动物占50.00%、发生恶性肿瘤的动物占15.52%;良性肿瘤主要有乳腺纤维腺瘤(25.86%)和垂体腺瘤(24.14%);恶性肿瘤主要有腺癌(5.17%)和乳腺癌(3.45%)。结论本文报告的Wistar大鼠自发肿瘤及其发生率进一步丰富了现有SPF级Wistar大鼠自发性肿瘤的数据资料,可为有关技术人员提供一定的参考和借鉴。     

老龄大鼠自发性肝胆管增生的病理学研究

目的为相关科研及新药安全评价工作积累大鼠肝胆管增生有价值的研究资料。方法大鼠共分为3组,第1组雌雄各30只动物(进口SD大鼠);第2组雌雄各60只(国产SD大鼠);第3组雌雄各60只(国产Wistar大鼠)。实验末期,对所有实验动物进行安乐死,进行系统解剖,对肝进行制片,进行组织病理学检查和免疫组织化学研究。结果各组大鼠均发生了不同程度的肝汇管区胆管增生,总发病率是32.33%。其中国产SD大鼠发病率明显高于进口SD大鼠(26.67%∶1.67%);国产Wistar大鼠的发生率明显高于国产SD大鼠(53.33%∶26.67%);雄性动物的发病率明显高于雌性动物(20%∶12.33%)。病理学观察显示多样化的胆管增生和纤维化改变,病变在I级和II级的大鼠发病率是84.5%,III级病变的发病率仅占15.5%。卵圆细胞的增生与胆管增生病变情况相一致,并呈现向胆管上皮方向分化。结论不同种系、不同性别的大鼠间肝胆管增生的发生率存在差异。本研究结果为动物和人类在增龄情况下肝胆管增生的研究提供了参考资料。     

Wistar大鼠心脏自发性病变的病理学观察

目的了解Wistar大鼠心脏自发性病变发病情况,为长期致癌性研究、老年病学研究及毒性病理学提供背景资料。方法采用160只清洁级Wistar大鼠,雌雄各半,常规饲养,分别在9月龄、12月龄、18月龄、24月龄时处死40只大鼠,HE及Masson三色法染色,观察心脏的病理改变。结果 9月龄Wistar大鼠心脏未见明显病理改变;12月龄Wistar大鼠月龄心脏病变的发病率为2.5%（1/40）,表现为少数心肌细胞变性坏死伴少量以单核细胞为主的炎细胞浸润;18月龄大鼠心脏病变的发病率为57.5%（23/40）,表现为轻至中度心肌病,雄性发病率高于雌性。24月龄大鼠100%（40/40）出现不同程度的心肌病,并有2.5%（1/40）发生心内膜下纤维组织增生。Masson染色显示9月龄大鼠心脏血管周围及心脏瓣膜环下有少量胶原纤维,随年龄增长,血管周围及心脏瓣膜环下胶原纤维逐渐增多,并延伸入心肌细胞间。结论随年龄增长,大鼠心脏自发病变比率升高,主要病变为心肌病,偶尔可发生心内膜下纤维组织增生;胶原纤维沉积首先发生于血管周围及心脏瓣膜环下,随年龄增长而增多,可能与大鼠心肌病的的发生密切相关。     

2型糖尿病大鼠主动脉硬化模型的构建

目的:建立自发2型糖尿病大鼠主动脉硬化动物模型.方法:用2型糖尿病大鼠主动脉硬化动物模型,44只GK大鼠随机分为正常GK对照组、建模组,每组22只,正常Wistar大鼠组22只.期间观察大鼠血糖、尿糖及一般情况变化,8周后,测定各组动物空腹血糖、总胆固醇(total cholesterol,TC)、甘油三酯(triglycerides,TG)、低密度脂蛋白胆固醇(low density lipoprotein choleste rol,LDL-C),同时光学显微镜观察主动脉结构.结果:模型组大鼠的总胆固醇、甘油三酯、低密度脂蛋白胆固醇明显升高,出现主动脉肥大,病理显示明显的主动脉及动脉内膜病变.结论:通过高脂、一氧化氮合成酶抑制剂,可成功构建自发2型糖尿痛大鼠主动脉病变,用作2型糖尿病大鼠大血管病变研究的动物模型.     

大鼠慢性进行性肾病的病理学特点

目的为大鼠慢性进行性肾病(chronic progressive nephropathy,CPN)的发病和相关的病理学研究积累资料。方法进口SD大鼠60只、国产SD大鼠120只、国产Wistar大鼠240只,分别给予进口饲料和国产饲料,持续饲养104周后剖杀,采集大鼠肾并进行常规制片,HE和特殊染色后,显微镜观察组织形态改变,总结和比较不同品系、不同性别、不同饲料喂养的大鼠CPN的发生率和病变特点。结果肾小球毛细血管基底膜和系膜增生及节段硬化为CPN发病的先发病变,肾小管上皮的变性和再生以及间肾质纤维化是继发性改变;CPN的总发病率为31.87%,其中雄性大鼠的发生率为48.54%,雌性大鼠的发生率为15.12%;Wistar大鼠CPN的发生率高于SD大鼠;进口SD大鼠CPN发病率高于国产SD大鼠;用蛋白含量高的饲料喂养大鼠CPN的发生率高于蛋白含量低的饲料喂养的大鼠。结论肾小球病变在先,导致肾小管出现继发性改变。CPN有较高的发病率,性别和品系之间有差异,饲料蛋白含量不同CPN发生率有差异。     

国家啮齿类实验动物种子中心

国家啮齿类实验动物种子中心是 1998年由国家科委批准建立的 ,设在中国药品生物制品检定所实验动物中心。其主要任务是 :引进、收集和保存实验动物品种、品系 ;研究实验动物保种新技术 ;培育实验动物新品种、品系 ;为国内外用户提供标准的实验动物种子。我中心建立以来 ,已经向全国二十个省市的 5 0多家单位 ,供应了SPF级种鼠一万多只。目前保存有SPF级大小鼠、豚鼠、家兔等 2 0多个品种品系的实验动物 ,最近引入了F344、B N、ICR、C57BL 10等品系 ,还将陆续从国外引进急需的实验动物种子。我中心严格控制实验动物质量 ,确保为用户提…     

国家啮齿类实验动物种子中心简介

国家啮齿类实验动物种子中心是1 998年由国家科委批准建立的,设在中国药品生物制品检定所实验动物中心。其主要任务是:引进、收集和保存实验动物品种、品系;研究实验动物保种新技术;培育实验动物新品种、品系;为国内外用户提供标准的实验动物种子。该中心建立以来,已经向全国2 0个省市的5 0多家单位,供应了SPF级种鼠1万多只。目前保存有SPF级大、小鼠,豚鼠,家兔等2 0多个品种品系的实验动物,最近引入了F344、B .N、ICR、C57BL 1 0等品系,还将陆续从国外引进急需的实验动物种子。该中心严格控制实验动物质量,确保为用户提供合格的种子;…     

不同年龄实验恒河猴自然死亡的肝脏病变谱分析

目的观察人工饲养条件下实验恒河猴肝脏病理改变,探讨肝脏疾病分布规律和病理改变特点,丰富实验猴自发病变基本研究资料。方法对1998～2008年云南地区饲养的自然死亡的155只恒河猴(年龄2～20岁)的肝脏进行病理检查,按年龄分为幼年组、成年组、老年组,并对观察结果进行统计学分析。结果 155例恒河猴中88例检出肝脏病变,有肝细胞变性、肝细胞坏死、炎细胞浸润、吞噬细胞增生、肝淤血、纤维组织增生、肝脓肿、寄生虫共八种主要病变,出现率最高的为肝细胞水样变性(34.19%)。除肝脓肿外,幼年组、成年组、老年组八种病变均有检出。卡方检验显示:肝细胞水样变性成年组病变率明显高于幼年组;肝细胞脂肪变性老年组明显高于成年组和幼年组;轻度炎细胞浸润病变老年组明显高于成年组;纤维组织增生老年组明显高于幼年组(P<0.05)。结论人工饲养条件下死亡实验猴肝脏病变检出率较高,实验猴肝脏病理改变随年龄增长而病变加重,提示在进行实验猴肝脏研究时,应注意对自发性病变的判别,药物安全性评价实验应避免选择老年猴做为研究对象。死亡实验猴肝脏病变谱研究,对实验猴的质量控制和相关动物实验有重要指导价值。     

A comparison of sister chromatid exchange frequencies in peripheral lymphocytes and bone marrow cells of Fischer 344 and Sprague-Dawley rats

We have investigated spontaneous sister chromatid exchange (SCE) frequencies in peripheral lymphocytes and bone marrow cells explanted from two strains of the laboratory rat, Fischer 344 and Sprague-Dawley. A small, but significant difference was noted for both cell types, with the Fischer 344 rat being consistently higher. Other cell parameters, such as the mitotic index and the replicative index, were similar in the two strains. SCE levels in cultured peripheral lymphocytes after intraperitoneal administration of the alkylating drug cyclophosphamide (10 mg/kg) were similar for the two strains. Fischer 344 rats are known to have approximately a 10-fold higher incidence of spontaneous leukemia than do Sprague-Dawley rats. Since SCE frequency is a sensitive measure of DNA damage, our observations suggest that high leukemia incidence in the Fischer 344 rat may be related to a higher level of spontaneous DNA damage.     

Comparison of characteristics between F344 and Slc:Wistar rats--Slc:Wistar rats cannot be distinguished from the F344 strain

With respect to F344/DuCrj and Slc: Wistar rats, both widely used in Japan, it was found that there is a close similarity in the changes of body weights and survival rates, and in the organ distribution and incidence of spontaneous tumors. To examine the degree of homozygosity between F344 and Slc: Wistar strains, tumor transplantation and skin grafting were performed. The bladder carcinomas that originated from F344/DuCrj rats grew subcutaneously in the other F344 strains and Slc: Wistar rats, but did not grow in the other Wistar-derived strains. The skin grafts between F344/DuCrj or F344/NSlc and Slc: Wistar rats were accepted, but those between F344/DuCrj or Slc: Wistar and the other Wistar-derived strains were rejected. These results suggest that Slc: Wistar rats cannot be distinguished genetically from the F344 strain of rats.     

Environmental modulation of autoimmune arthritis involves the spontaneous microbial induction of T cell responses to regulatory determinants within heat shock protein 65

Both genetic and environmental factors are believed to be involved in the induction of autoimmune diseases. Adjuvant arthritis (AA) is inducible in susceptible rat strains by injection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, and arthritic rats raise T cell responses to the 65-kDa mycobacterial heat-shock protein (Bhsp65). We observed that Fischer 344 (F344) rats raised in a barrier facility (BF-F344) are susceptible to AA, whereas F344 rats maintained in a conventional facility (CV-F344) show significantly reduced incidence and severity of AA, despite responding well to the arthritogenic determinant within Bhsp65. The acquisition of protection from AA can be circumvented if rats are maintained on neomycin/acidified water. Strikingly, naive unimmunized CV-F344 rats but not BF-F344 rats raised T cell responses to Bhsp65 C-terminal determinants (BCTD) (we have previously shown that BCTD are involved in regulation of acute AA in the Lewis rat); however, T cells of naive CV-F344 and BF-F344 gave a comparable level of proliferative response to a mitogen, but no response at all to an irrelevant Ag. Furthermore, adoptive transfer into naive BF-F344 rats of splenic cells of naive CV-F344 rats (restimulated with BCTD in vitro) before induction of AA resulted in a considerably reduced severity of AA. These results suggest that spontaneous (inadvertent) priming of BCTD-reactive T cells, owing to determinant mimicry between Bhsp65 and its homologues in microbial agents in the conventional environment, is involved in modulating the severity of AA in CV-F344 rats. These results have important implications in broadening understanding of the host-microbe interaction in human autoimmune diseases.     

Kinetic profile of influenza virus infection in three rat strains

Influenza is a respiratory tract disease of viral origin that can cause major epidemics in humans. The influenza virus infects and damages epithelial cells of the respiratory tract and causes pneumonia. Lung lesions of mice infected with influenza virus resembles those seen in humans with influenza, and can result in severe and even fatal pneumonia. In contrast, experimental infection of rats with the virus induces a milder form of the disease, with no mortality. The purpose of the study reported here was to determine the time course of influenza infection and lung injury in Brown Norway (BN), Fischer-344 (F344), and Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats to ascertain whether genetic background impacts susceptibility to infection and host responses. Rats of each strain were inoculated intranasally with 10,000 plaque-forming units of rat-adapted influenza virus (RAIV), and lungs were assessed at postinoculation hour (PIH) 2, 24, 48, 72, and 144 for viral titer, inflammatory cells, pro-inflammatory cytokines, and biochemical indicators of lung edema (protein) and injury (lactate dehydrogenase [LD] activity). Virus titer peaked at PIH 24, and was 100-fold higher in the F344 and SD, compared with the BN strain. Alveolar macrophages, LD activity, and total protein concentration were higher in the BN rats, whereas neutrophil numbers and interleukin 6 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha activities were greatest in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid of F344 and SD rats. The results indicate that F344 and SD rats respond in similar manner to viral infection, whereas viral replication was more limited in BN rats and was associated with a different profile of pulmonary cells.     

Single and multiple congenic strains for hydrocephalus in the H-Tx rat

The H-Tx rat has fetal-onset hydrocephalus with a complex mode of inheritance. Previously, quantitative trait locus mapping using a backcross with Fischer F344 rats demonstrated genetic loci significantly linked to hydrocephalus on Chromosomes 10, 11, and 17. Hydrocephalus was preferentially associated with heterozygous alleles on Chrs 10 and 11 and with homozygous alleles on Chr 17. This study aimed to determine the phenotypic contribution of each locus by constructing single and multiple congenic strains. Single congenic rats were constructed using Fischer F344 as the recipient strain and a marker-assisted protocol. The homozygous strains were maintained for eight generations and the brains examined for dilated ventricles indicative for hydrocephalus. No congenic rats had severe (overt) hydrocephalus. A few pups and a significant number of adults had mild disease. The incidence was significantly higher in the C10 and C17 congenic strains than in the nonhydrocephalic F344 strain. Breeding to F344 to make F.H-Tx C10 or C11 rats heterozygous for the hydrocephalus locus failed to produce progeny with severe disease. Both bicongenic and tricongenic rats of different genotype combinations were constructed by crossing congenic rats. None had severe disease but the frequency of mild hydrocephalus in adults was similar to congenic rats and significantly higher than in the F344 strain. Rats with severe hydrocephalus were recovered in low numbers when single congenic or bicongenic rats were crossed with the parental H-Tx strain. It is concluded that the genetic and epigenetic factors contributing to severe hydrocephalus in the H-Tx strain are more complex than originally anticipated.     

Spontaneous otitis media in Wistar rats: an overlooked pathology in otological research

The rat is commonly employed in otological research, but spontaneous ear infections can confound the results of experimental procedures--wasting time, money, and animals. The authors focus on the incidence of spontaneous otitis media in Wistar rats. They compare disease incidence in animals housed in standard cages with those housed in barrier units, showing that 20% of their conventionally housed animals developed spontaneous otitis media, whereas only 5% of their animals housed in isolated units were infected. These results underscore the importance of strict control of the shipping, housing conditions, and manipulation of animals to be used in otological research.     

Age-related nephropathy in the Fischer 344 rat is associated with overexpression of collagens and collagen-binding heat shock protein 47

To explore the possible role of heat shock protein (HSP) 47 in the age-related renal changes in Fischer 344 (F 344) rats, the expression of collagen-binding HSP47 with various proteins implicated in phenotypic modulation (α-smooth muscle actin, desmin, and vimentin) and fibrosis (type I, type III, and type IV collagens) was examined in young and old F 344 rat kidneys. Male F 344 rats often develop spontaneous nephropathy in old age. Kidneys obtained from 24-month-old F 344 rats showed glomerulosclerosis with marked tubulointerstitial damage including interstitial fibrosis, while no significant histological alteration was found in the kidneys of 6-month-old rats. Immunohistochemical analysis showed an increased accumulation of type I, type III, and type IV collagens in areas of glomerulosclerosis and interstitial fibrosis in old rat kidneys. In kidneys of young rats, collagen-binding HSP47 expression was weak in the glomeruli and occasionally seen in the interstitial cells. In contrast, strong immunostaining for HSP47 was noted in the glomeruli, tubular epithelial cells, and interstitial cells in kidneys of old rats. In addition, phenotypic alterations of mesangial cells and interstitial cells (immunopositive for α-smooth muscle actin), glomerular epithelial cells (immunopositive for desmin), and tubular epithelial cells (immunopositive for vimentin) were found in the kidneys of old F 344 rats. Double immunostaining showed that all these phenotypically altered renal cells express HSP47 and that increased expression of HSP47 was always associated with increased expression of collagens in the old rat kidneys. From the above observations, it is concluded that overexpression of HSP47 by phenotypically altered renal cells might play an important role in the excessive assembly of collagens and could thereby contribute to the glomerulosclerosis and interstitial fibrosis found in kidneys of aged F 344 rats.     

Strain Difference in the Up-Regulation of FGF-2 Protein Following a Neurotoxic Lesion of the Nigrostriatal Pathway

Lesions of the nigrostriatal pathway are known to induce a compensatory up-regulation of various neurotrophic factors. In this study we examined protein content of basic fibroblast growth factor (FGF-2) in tissue samples taken from the ventral midbrain and striatum at two different time points following a neurotoxic lesion of the nigrostriatal pathway in two different rat strains, the outbred Sprague–Dawley (SD) and inbred F344 × Brown Norway F1 hybrid (F344BNF₁). Despite both rat strains having comparable lesions of the nigrostriatal pathway, we observed a difference in the temporal up-regulation of FGF-2 in ventral midbrain samples taken from the side ipsilateral to the lesion. Basic FGF was significantly up-regulated in ventral midbrain in SD rats 1 week post-lesion while we did not observe an up-regulation of FGF-2 in the lesioned ventral midbrain of F344BNF₁ at this same time point. However, both strains showed a significant up-regulation of FGF-2 in the lesioned ventral midbrain 3 weeks post-lesion. Sprague–Dawley rats also appeared to be more sensitive to the lesion in terms of up-regulating FGF-2 expression. The differences reported here suggest currently unknown genetic differences between these two strains may be important factors for regulating the compensatory release of neurotrophic factors, such as FGF-2, in response to a neurotoxic lesion of the nigrostriatal pathway.     

Morphometric comparison of the rat mandible in f344 substrains, f344/du and f344/n.

The shape of the mandible was compared by morphometric methods to ascertain the genetic differences between two substrains of F344 rats, F344/DuCrlCrlj and F344/NSlc. Since these two substrains are clearly different in survival and the incidence of age associated disorders; thus, some genetic differences are suggested to be present between them. Although previous microsatellite analysis did not detect any differences between the two F344 substrains, the present study clearly detected interesting differences in the mandible morphology. At 2 months of age, the F344/Du mandible was characterized by a larger size, especially in length, than the F344/N mandible. The shape of the mandible seemed to be more variable in F344/N. This clear substrain difference suggests the importance of the substrain recognition in F344 rats, especially in experimental usage.     

Localization of Eutr2, a locus controlling susceptibility to DES-induced uterine inflammation and pyometritis, to RNO5 using a congenic rat strain

In some rat strains chronic administration of exogenous estrogens induces pyometritis, an inflammation of the uterus associated with infection, suggesting that there is genetic variation in susceptibility to estrogen-induced inflammation and pyometritis. In this article we report that following 10 weeks of treatment with the synthetic estrogen diethylstilbestrol (DES), Fisher 344 (F344) rats exhibit modest uterine inflammation and a 0% incidence of pyometritis. By contrast, under identical experimental conditions, Brown Norway (BN) rats exhibit significant inflammation and a 100% incidence of pyometritis. Similarly, we also observed profound uterine inflammation and a 100% incidence of pyometritis in a congenic rat strain in which a segment of RNO5 from the BN strain is carried on the F344 strain. These data suggest that a locus on RNO5 controls both the magnitude of DES-induced uterine inflammation and susceptibility to DES-induced pyometritis. This locus, designated Eutr2, resides within the same segment of RNO5 as the Eutr1 locus, which confers susceptibility to E2-induced pyometritis in an F2 population generated in a cross between the BN and August × Copenhagen 9935, Irish (ACI) strains. Jyotsna Pandey, Karen A. Gould contributed equally to this work.