title: Strain differences in peripheral-nerve regeneration in rats.
abstract: Currently, several strains of rats are used for studies of peripheral-nerve injury and repair. The purpose of this study was to determine if significant differences in regeneration between strains exist that might influence comparison of results and interpretation of scientific conclusions. One outbred (Sprague-Dawley) and four inbred stains (ACI, Wistar-Furth, Lewis, Brown-Norway) were studied. Animals were randomized to one of two experimental conditions, undergoing either posterior tibial nerve transection and repair, or Silastic conduit repair of the posterior tibial nerve (n=6/group). Endpoint evaluations at 6 and 13 weeks included histomorphometry and walking-track analysis. Evidence of excellent regeneration was noted in all rat strains undergoing primary repair. Generally, no statistically significant differences between strains were noted, regardless of endpoint evaluation used in the primary repair group. Nerve regeneration across the conduits was either poor or not present at 6 weeks, with no regeneration at all noted in any animals in the ACI and Brown-Norway groups, and regeneration in only one or two animals in the other strains. At 13 weeks, between three and five animals in each strain showed regeneration, but functional recovery was poor. Overall, few differences in peripheral-nerve recovery appear to exist between rat strains. It seems that uniform conclusions may be drawn regardless of strain used.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA.
authors.forename: J E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Strasberg
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Strasberg
authors.forename: S E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Mackinnon
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Watanabe
authors.forename: D A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Hunter
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Tarasidis
mesh_terms: D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000818:Animals; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D009416:Nerve Regeneration; D009431:Neural Conduction; D059348:Peripheral Nerve Injuries; D010525:Peripheral Nerves / Q000473:pathology*; D011897:Random Allocation; D051381:Rats; D011912:Rats, Inbred ACI; D011914:Rats, Inbred BN; D011917:Rats, Inbred Lew; D011920:Rats, Inbred WF; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D020127:Recovery of Function; D012584:Sciatic Nerve / Q000293:injuries / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D013045:Species Specificity