Genetic rat models for hypertension: guidelines for breeding, care and use

Hypertension is a complex, multifactorial, polygenic disturbance of blood pressure homeostasis. The development of genetic rat models has contributed significantly to the acquisition of new knowledge on the pathophysiology of hypertension. Since there are multiple genetic rat models currently available and actively in use, and since there is need for guidelines for the breeding, care and use of such animal models, the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) convened an international committee of experts to prepare such guidelines, a synopsis of which is herein presented.