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GENETIC DISEASE MODELS
Watanabe Rabbits
APS has an active breeding colony of Watanabe Heritable Hyperlipidemic (WHHL) rabbits. WHHL rabbits have a genetic predisposition to hypercholesterolemia due to a reduced expression of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) receptors.
WHHL rabbits frequently manifest vascular lesions and atherosclerotic disease with typical total cholesterol levels observed at the >600 mg/dL range. These conditions mimic human disease endpoints similar to those observed in coronary and peripheral artery disease.
Ossabaw Swine
APS has extensive experience with studies using Ossabaw swine, which is a sound model for assessing treatments for hypertension and metabolic syndrome. Ossabaw swine express a phenotype for a propensity to obesity. Consumption of a high caloric diet causes these animals to manifest obesity, insulin resistance, impaired glucose tolerance, dyslipidemia, and hypertension. Ossabaw swine are also prone to atherosclerotic disease.
