What does ZDF mean in VETERINARY

A ZDF rat is a type of rodent developed specifically for research on diabetes mellitus. These rats were bred from spontaneously diabetic Zucker fatty rats to create a uniquely hyperglycemic animal model suitable for metabolic and endocrine studies.

ZDF rats differ from control rats in many regards. The most obvious difference is their size; ZDF rats are usually larger than control rats due to having more abdominal fat tissue due to their diabetes-induced obesity (diabetes mellitus). Additionally, these animals have significantly high levels of glucose and insulin in their blood and demonstrate reduced pancreatic beta cell function.

Scientist use ZDF rats as animal models because they closely mimic the features observed in humans with type 2 diabetes. For example, these animals develop insulin resistance and display abnormalities related to lipid metabolism which can be closely monitored over time. Overall, using ZDF animals allows scientists to gain insight into the development and progression of diabetes mellitus that could not be obtained using other approaches such as clinical or epidemiological studies alone.

Several studies have been conducted with this animal model over the years including investigations into obesity, physical activity interventions, novel antidiabetic drugs, neurobehavioral changes induced by diabetes, altered carbohydrate metabolism as well lifestyle interventions such as dietary modifications aimed at improving health outcomes.

Due to their unique characteristics, prolonged experimentations on these animals may result in adverse effects on welfare arising from complications associated with hyperglycemia such as osmotic diuresis or ketoacidosis.