SPONTANEOUS ANIMAL-MODELS FOR INSULIN-DEP ENDENT DIABETES (TYPE-1 DIABETES)

Insulin dependent (type 1) diabetes in humans is a polygenic, auto-imm une disease that is characterized, among other things, by the infiltra tion of the islets of Langerhans by immune cells (insulite) as well as many serum auto-antibodies (including islet cell antibodies: ICA). Th e medical goal is to diagnose the condition at a sub-clinical stage an d then to prevent the disease from developing. Spontaneous diabetic ro dent models, in particular the NOD mouse and BE rat are invaluable to the continuing progress of the work aimed at better understanding the human disease. In addition to these models, the study of type I diabet es in larger animals, having a longer life-span would also be helpful. In dogs and cats, certain minor kinds of diabetes appear to be of typ e 1. The classification of diabetes types in carnivores remains poorly defined, however; epidemiological, genetic and metabolic studies an r equired before these diabetes can be used as operational models for th e human pathology. Even if the classification of these diseases is cla rified, the ethical and social considerations involved with the use of companion animals, will limit the use of these animals as models for spontaneous diabetes. The selection of a specific line of diabetic dog s should perhaps be considered.