PATHOBIOLOGY OF AGING RODENTS - INBRED AND HYBRID MODELS

The definition of inbred strains of animals is provided, underscoring the homogeneity of the individuals in a strain, as well as the lack of allelic variation within each individual. Inbred animals present long -term reproducibility and relative stability, which facilitates experi mentation over a long period of time. The derivations of several speci fic groups of inbred animals including coisogenic, congenic, and recom binant inbred lines are detailed. Applications for inbred strains to t he study of aging including analysis of longevity characteristics, gen es involved in the control of age-related parameters and gene interact ions with other genes or the environment are presented. The concept of aging as a consequence of genes and the ramifications of competitive pleiotropy are discussed. The distinction between aging and age-relate d diseases or lesions is explored. Cumulative lesion incidence is sugg ested as a biomarker of aging. Copyright (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Inc .