Genetically Standardized Laboratory Rodents

This chapter provides a comprehensive overview of the current and expanding knowledge base concerning standardized laboratory strains of rodents, with a specific focus on the mouse (Mus musculus) and the rat (Rattus norvegicus), the predominant species utilized in biomedical research. We include fundamental information on various genetically standardized strains, with a primary emphasis on inbred strains and their derivatives. The production and maintenance processes of these strains are explained, accompanied by a historical context and an exploration of their principal applications. Addressed to veterinarians, animal facility technicians, researchers, and students employing mouse and rat models, this chapter provides an up-to-date account of the different genetically defined stains associated with these widely used laboratory rodents.