Creation of a strain of genetically obese-hypertensive rats

A strain of genetically obese-hypertensive rats (SHR-fa/fa) was created by transferring the fatty/fa gene of hyperlipaemic obese non-inbred rats into the genome of an SHR inbred strain by five successive crossings of SHR-fa+ brother-sister matings. SHR-fa/fa rats were heavier than their SHR littermates. They showed a severe hypertension, their systolic arterial blood pressure being higher than that previously found in genetically hypertensive rats. Their blood glucose content was not significantly different from that of their SHR littermates but their plasma triglycerides were increased by more than 500 per cent. While obesity and hypertension occurred from the 5th week following the rat's birth, the increase in blood triglycerides was manifest earlier.