Minipigs as laboratory animals - review
Rozkot
M., Václavková E., Bělková J.
Institite of Anbimal Science Prague,
Czech Republic
Abstract
Minipigs are one of the most important laboratory animals
because of their similarity to human. The minipigs
had several advantages as a laboratory animal. They are small thus much easier
for handling. Also, requirements of food, space and even pharmacologic products
or anesthetic are significantly reduced. Miniature
pigs have a convenient body size for surgical procedures and given their
anatomical similarities to humans particularly in terms of skin, skeleton,
teeth, gastrointestinal tract, pancreas, liver, kidney, lung, and immune status
they are often used as models for humans. In cardiac research, they are often used for studies on cholesterol. They
are widely used in pharmacology research and diabetes research. In this review, we summarized several information
and guidelines related with minipigs, especially
about their history, breeding and using as model laboratory animal.
Key Words: minipig,
laboratory animal, breeding