Brattleboro rat

Brattleboro rat is a strain of laboratory rat (Rattus norvegicus) that is characterized by a genetic mutation causing a lack of vasopressin, a hormone that regulates the body's retention of water. This mutation results in a condition known as diabetes insipidus, which is characterized by excessive thirst and urination.

History

The Brattleboro rat was first discovered in the 1960s in Brattleboro, Vermont, at the Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center. The strain was named after the town where it was discovered. The mutation was found to be hereditary, and the strain has been bred for research purposes ever since.

Characteristics

Brattleboro rats are characterized by their inability to produce vasopressin due to a deletion in the gene that codes for this hormone. This results in a condition known as diabetes insipidus, which is characterized by excessive thirst and urination. Despite their condition, Brattleboro rats are able to survive and reproduce.

Use in Research

Due to their unique genetic mutation, Brattleboro rats have been used extensively in research to study the effects of vasopressin and its role in the body's water balance. They have also been used to study the genetic basis of diabetes insipidus and potential treatments for this condition.

See Also

• Laboratory rat
• Diabetes insipidus
• Vasopressin
• Genetic mutation

References

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