What is a rat used for experiments called? - briefly
A rat employed in scientific research is called a laboratory rat, commonly shortened to “lab rat”.
What is a rat used for experiments called? - in detail
Laboratory rats, commonly referred to as “lab rats” or “experimental rats,” are domesticated strains of the species Rattus norvegicus specifically bred for scientific research.
These animals are selected for traits that enhance experimental reliability: genetic uniformity, rapid growth, well‑characterized physiology, and ease of handling. Commonly employed strains include:
- Sprague‑Dawley: outbred, high fecundity, widely used in toxicology and pharmacology.
- Wistar: outbred, robust, favored for neuroscience and behavioral studies.
- Long‑Evans: pigmented, often chosen for visual and ocular research.
- Fischer 344: inbred, valuable for aging and oncology investigations.
Key reasons for their use are:
- Physiological similarity to humans in cardiovascular, metabolic, and nervous systems.
- Predictable response to pharmacological agents, enabling dose‑response analysis.
- Short reproductive cycle and lifespan, allowing multigenerational studies.
- Established background data and reference genomes that facilitate comparative analysis.
Breeding programs maintain strict barrier conditions to prevent pathogen contamination and preserve genetic integrity. Animals are housed in controlled environments with regulated temperature, humidity, and light cycles, ensuring reproducibility across laboratories.
Ethical oversight requires adherence to the 3Rs principle—Replacement, Reduction, Refinement. Institutional Animal Care and Use Committees evaluate protocols to confirm that the use of these rodents is scientifically justified and that humane endpoints are defined.
Regulatory classifications list laboratory rats under “vertebrate research subjects,” subject to national and international guidelines such as the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals (US) and the EU Directive 2010/63/EU. Compliance involves documentation of strain origin, health status, and experimental procedures.
In summary, the term describing a rat employed in scientific experimentation encompasses several standardized strains of Rattus norvegicus, each selected for specific genetic and physiological attributes that support reproducible, ethically governed research.