Comparative Characterization of Rat Strains (Wistar, Wistar–Kyoto, Sprague Dawley, Long Evans, LT, SHR, BD-IX) by Their Behavior, Hormonal Level and Antioxidant Status

Abstract

The rat strains Wistar, Wistar–Kyoto, Sprague Dawley, Long Evans, LT (low CNS excitability threshold), SHR, BD-IX (“Biocollection of the Pavlov Institute of Physiology”) were comparatively screened for the indicators of hormonal and antioxidant status as well as behavior. In male rats, the following characteristics were evaluated: behavioral (locomotor activity, anxiety level, depressive-like behavior in the Prosolt forced swim test), hormonal (corticosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone–DHEA, thyroid-stimulating hormone–TSH, thyroxine and testosterone levels) and blood antioxidative activity. Considering our data on physiological phenotyping the above rat strains, physiological maps were created for each strain and a specific descriptive biocollection format was elaborated to represent relevant information as a publicly available online resource (http://hst5.infran.ru/biocollection/) which can be helpful in choosing an experimental object and instrumental in analyzing data obtained on certain rat strains.