This document summarizes commonly used experimental animals in pharmacology research including mice, rats, guinea pigs, gerbils, hamsters, rabbits, frogs, dogs, pigs, and monkeys. For each animal, it provides details on weight, gestation period, diet, behaviors, and their typical uses in experiments. The aims of experimental pharmacology are to identify safe and effective therapeutic agents, study drug efficacy and toxicity, and understand drug mechanisms and sites of action. Proper handling and care of laboratory animals is important to avoid unnecessary pain or suffering.

1. STUDY OF COMMONLY USED
EXPERIMENTAL ANIMALS.
BHAGYASHREE SAHOO
M.PHARMA (PHARMACOLOGY)
DADHICHI COLLEGE OF PHARMACY

2. CONTENT
INTRODUCTION.
EXPERIMENTAL PHARMACOLOGY AND ITS AIM.
ANIMALS USED IN EXPERIMENTAL PHARMACOLOGY.
HANDLING OF ANIMALS.

3. INTRODUCTION
• Physiologically and anatomically, there is a
similarity between the humans and animals at
organ and organ system , which functions in a
similar manner.
• This similarity makes animals ideal model for the
study and development of products and technique
for humans.
• It was the use of animals in the laboratory that
lead to the discovery of the diptheria and polio
vaccines , insulin for the treatment of diabetes
mellitus , heart valve replacement , antibiotic
therapy, manic-depressive drugs and the list goes
on and on.

4. EXPERIMENTAL PHARMACOLOGY AND ITS AIM.
• EXPERIMENTAL PHARMACOLOGY :-
Experimental pharmacology is a study through experimental design in controlled
situations which involves testing of pharmacologically unknown substance and
pharmaceutical products in animals.
AIM OF EXPERIMENTAL PHARMACOLOGY
• Find out the therapeutic agent suitable for human use.
• Study the efficacy and toxicity of the drug .
• Study the mechanisms and site of action of the drug.

5. ANIMALS USED IN EXPERIMENTAL
PHARMACOLOGY

6. MOUSE
(Mus
Musculus)
• WEIGHT :- 25-28gm (Adult)
• GESTATION PERIOD :- 19-21 days
• FOOD HABIT :- Fruits and Grains from Plants.
• NATURE :- Facial expressions of pleasure, disgust, nausea, pain, and fear.
EXPERIMENTAL USE :-
• Toxicological studies
• Teratogenicity studies
• Bioassay of insulin
• Screening of analgesic and anticonvulsant
• Screening of chemotherapeutic agent
• Drug action on CNS.
• Studies related to genetics and cancer research
ADVANTAGES :-
• Smaller in size
• Easy to handle
• Cheaper
• Less drug required

7. RAT
(Rattus
norvegicus)
• WEIGHT :- 200gm-500gm (Adult)
• GESTATION PERIOD :- 21-24 days
• FOOD HABIT :-Grain or kill insects, water creatures such
as snails, fish and mussels, small birds for food.
• NATURE :- Bruxing, Tail flicking, Feet splayed.
EXPERIMENTAL USES :-
• Study of analgesics and anticonvulsant.
• Bioassay of various types of hormones like Insulin, Oxytocin,
Vasopressin.
• Study of estrus cycle, mating behaviour, lactation.
• Psychopharmacological studies.
• Muscle grip strength.
• Antiulcer drug screening.
• Anti inflammatory drug screening.
ADVANTAGES :-
• Small in size.
• Vomiting centre is absent- Oral administration can be done.
• Gall bladder and Tonsils are absent.
• Drug to be tested required in small quantity.

8. GUINEA PIG
(Cavia
porcellus)
• WEIGHT :- 700-1200 gm (Adult)
• GESTATION PERIOD :- 59-72 days
• FOOD HABIT :- Required exogenous Vit.C in diet. Fresh vegetables
and fresh fruit.
• NATURE :- Teeth chattering, Deep Purring sound , cooing , Rumbling
during mating.
EXPERIMENTAL USE :-
• Evaluation of bronchodilators.
• Anaphylactic and immunological studies.
• Study oh histamines and Anti-histamines.
• Bioassay of Digitalis.
• Evaluation of local anasthetics.
• Hearing experiments because of sensitive cochlea.
• Study of TB and Ascorbic acid metabolism
• Isolation of lleum, Trachea and Heart.
• Study of Infectious disease.
• Study of juvenile diabetes and, because of the frequency of pregnancy
toxemia, of pre-eclampsia in human females.
ADVANTAGES :-
• Sensitive to histamine and penicillin.
• Susceptible to TB and anaphylaxis.
• Very long lived.
• Easy to care.

9. GERBIL (Meriones
unguiculatus)
• WEIGHT :- 60-130gm (Adult)
• GESTATION PERIOD :- 24-26 days
• FOOD HABIT :- Grasses, such as lyme grass and bristle
grass, roots, seeds, desert vegetation fruits, bulbs and grains.
• NATURE :- Use its tongue to groom or wash its paws, belly,
face, and tail; digs or burrows in its cage.
EXPERIMENTAL USE :-
• Drug action on CVS. (Stroke model)
• Immunomodulatory Activity.
• Study of Infectious disease.
• Used as Model in Infection caused by Giardia Lamblia and
Giardia Duodenalis.
• Study of lipid metabolism.
• Auditory study.
• Anti epileptic study.
• Anti diabetic study.
ADVANTAGES :-
• Small in size.
• Easy to maintain and handle.
• Non-aggressive in nature.
• More susceptible to infectious disease from environment.
• Less drug required

10. HAMSTER (Mesocricetus auratus)
• WEIGHT :- 85-150gm (Adult)
• GESTATION PERIOD :- 15-18 days
• FOOD HABIT :- Fresh vegetables, hay and small amounts of fruit, Dry fruits.
• NATURE :- Stretching, yawning , perking their ears up, Grinding teeth.
EXPERIMENTAL USE :-
• Drug action on CVS. (Stroke model)
• Immunomodulatory Activity.
• Study of Infectious disease and metabolic disease.
• Study of Anti cancer drugs.
• Study on Non-cancer respiratory disease.
• Main model in Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome and leptospirosis.
• Anti epileptic study and Antiulcer drug testing.
• Antiandrogen test.
• Used to study the infection process in SARS Coronavirus. Main model in COVID-19 research.
• Widely used in research into alcoholism because of large liver and ability to metabolise high dose.
ADVANTAGES :-
• Small in size.
• Easy to maintain and handle.
• More susceptible to infectious disease.
• Large liver and ability to metabolise high doses of drugs.

11. RABBIT (Oryctolagus cuniculus,
Lupus cuniculus)
• WEIGHT :- 1000-1200 gm (Adult)
• GESTATION PERIOD :- 28-35 days
• FOOD HABIT :- Fresh or dried Hay and grasses, leafy greens.
• NATURE :- Chinning, Binky , Standing on hind legs, Tooth grinding, Tooth chattering.
EXPERIMENTAL USE :-
• Pyrogen testing.
• Bioassay of anti-diabetic, curare form drugs and sex hormones.
• Screening of agents affecting capillary permeability.
• Study on drug used in glaucoma.
• Studies related to antifertility agents.
• Pharmacokinetics studies.
• Isolated preparations of Heart, Duodenum, Ileum, Trachea.
• Anti histaminic study.
• Bioanalytical studies.
• Study on local anasthetics and antidiuretic drugs.
• Study on miotic and mydriatics.
ADVANTAGES :-
• Live for 7-10 Years.
• It has huge caecum and long appendix.
• Enzyme atropine esterase is present in liver which tolerate large amount of atropine.
• Docile animal.

12. FROG (RANA TIGRINA)
• WEIGHT :- 22.7 gm (Adult)
• GESTATION PERIOD :- 3-25 days
• FOOD HABIT :- spiders, grasshoppers, butterflies, snail, slugs and worms.
• NATURE :- Jumping abilities, Croaking sounds and Bulging eyes.
EXPERIMENTAL USE :-
• Isolated preparations of Heart, rectus abdominus muscle.
• Drug acting on CNS.
• Drug acting on neuromuscular junction.
• Study on local anasthetics.
• Study of acetylcholine.
• Study of starling’s law of heart, Autonomic control of heart function.
• Used in monitoring development and progress of cancer.
• Study of effects of various chemicals on organs.
ADVANTAGES :-
• Amphibian animal safe to handle.
• Small in size.
• Cheaper.
• Easier to see the organ.
This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA-NC

13. DOG (Canis
familiaris)
• WEIGHT :- 50-100 pound (Adult)
• GESTATION PERIOD :- 58-68 days
• FOOD HABIT :- Vegetables, Meat, Grains , Fish.
• NATURE :- Use its tongue to groom or wash its
paws, belly. Tail-wagging, Ear flattening.
EXPERIMENTAL USE :-
• Drug action on CVS. ( Blood pressure measurements)
• Drug action on CNS.
• Study of Respiratory disease.
• Study of dental disease.
• Anti-inflammatory , Anti-cancer, Anti-emetic studies.
• Study on monitoring the biological clock
(Circardian rhythms).
• Genetic studies.
• Toxicity studies to test the safety of various
drugs and pesticides.
ADVANTAGES :-
• Docile animal.
• Easy to maintain.
• Long lived.

14. PIG (Sus
domesticus)
• WEIGHT :- 50-350 KG (Adult)
• GESTATION PERIOD :- 100-120 days
• FOOD HABIT :- Grass, brambles, acorns, apples, and even earth
worms
• NATURE :- Long, low grunting or screaming , Swiping their head from
side to side.
EXPERIMENTAL USE :-
• Ideal model for human scabies infestations.
• Used as general surgical models.
• Study of pulmonary disease.
• Model for arteriosclerosis, wound healing, metabolic syndrome,
gastric ulcer.
• Cardiovascular studies.
• Immunological studies.
• Studies related to urinary and gastrointestinal system.
• Model for human craniofacial diseases.
• Toxicity studies to test the safety of various
drugs.
ADVANTAGES :-
• Docile animal.
• Fast growth rates.
• Relatively easy to raise.
• Prolific breeding potential.

15. MONKEY
(Macaca
mulatta)
• WEIGHT :- 15-30 pounds (Adult)
• GESTATION PERIOD :- 71-345 days
• FOOD HABIT :- Nuts, seeds, fruits, vegetables, flower, insects
etc.
• NATURE :- Chattering, Arms out, Arms raise, Arms shake, Arms
wave, Beckon.
EXPERIMENTAL USE :-
• Drug action on CVS.
• Drug action on CNS.
• Study of Respiratory disease.
• Studies related to antifertility agents.
• Genetic studies.
• Studies related to gastrointestinal system.
• Studies related to reproductive system and immune system.
• Toxicity studies to test the safety and efficacy of various drugs.
• Study of infectious disease.
• Development of vaccines.
ADVANTAGES :-
• Relatively shorter life span.
• Faster aging.
• Ability to control experimental condition.

16. HANDLING OF ANIMALS
The handling of laboratory animals involves two most important
responsibilities on the part of the experiment.
• First the animal is handled with outmost care so that it does not
suffer any pain.
• Secondly, a due regard is paid towards the health and well being of
animal colony even when they are killed at the end of the experiment
it should be done by a human method i.e euthanasia, which means
painless killing.