What is the name of the breed of white rats with red eyes? - briefly
Albino rats are the white rats characterized by red eyes. They are members of the species Rattus norvegicus and are frequently used in scientific research.
What is the name of the breed of white rats with red eyes? - in detail
Albino laboratory rats, scientifically designated Rattus norvegicus albinus, are the standard white‑coated, red‑eyed strain used worldwide. The lack of pigment results from a recessive mutation in the tyrosinase gene, which blocks melanin synthesis; the eyes appear blood‑red because the underlying choroidal blood vessels are visible through the unpigmented iris.
The strain originated in the early 20th century when breeders selected spontaneous albino mutants for research. Today, major suppliers such as Charles River, Harlan (now Envigo), and Taconic provide standardized colonies. These colonies are maintained under specific pathogen‑free (SPF) conditions, ensuring uniform health status and genetic background.
Key characteristics include:
- Physical traits: pure white fur, pink skin, and ruby‑colored eyes; average adult weight 250–350 g for males, 200–300 g for females.
- Genetics: homozygous recessive (aa) genotype; breeding two heterozygous carriers (Aa × Aa) yields a 25 % probability of albino offspring.
- Behavior: docile temperament, high adaptability to cage environments, robust reproductive performance (average litter size 8–12 pups, gestation 21–23 days).
- Research applications: toxicology, pharmacology, neuroscience, and genetics; the lack of pigment simplifies surgical visualization and imaging techniques.
Regulatory guidelines require identification of the albino strain in study protocols, as their physiological responses can differ from pigmented lines. For example, albinos exhibit increased sensitivity to light and altered stress hormone profiles, factors that must be accounted for in experimental design.
Overall, the white, red‑eyed rat is a distinct, well‑characterized breed whose genetic uniformity and physiological traits make it indispensable for biomedical research.