FRAR course on laboratory approaches to aging. Genetic quality control in laboratory rodents

Laboratory rodents are widely used in gerontological research. Many different strains are available, and superficially there is little to distinguish them (many are albino), although they may differ markedly in life span and pattern of spontaneous disease, as well as for a whole range of biochemical, immunological, behavioural and physiological characteristics. As experience has shown that strains can easily become muddled, some form of genetic quality control is essential. There is no single method of genetic quality control which can be recommended for all occasions. Methods based on identification of Mendelian genetic markers, such as biochemical and immunological polymorphisms can be sensitive, but may be expensive and require considerable expertise. Methods based on simultaneous study of several markers, such as skin grafting and polyvalent strain-specific antisera, may be cheaper but less flexible. DNA fingerprinting and the use of microsatellite markers appear to be the methods of choice in the future, though these are still expensive and require considerable expertise.