Rats (and mice) are often the animals of choice to try and model human conditions, treatment and body functions - even though we know that using animals to try and model people fails over 90% of the time.

Mice and rats are commonly used due to their small size, low maintenance (i.e., they are easy to house and care for), short life cycle, and ability to breed quickly (allowing large numbers to be generated for studies).

They also share many of our genes.1 However, that's not surprising. Even cats share many of our genes.2

Rats are used is some of the most gruesome experiments that involve things like force-feeding, poisoning, oxygen deprivation and invasive surgery.

Rats in NZ have been used for:
  • Drug research, including safety and efficiency testing.
  • Teaching purposes in schools, mainly dissections.
  • Investigating ways of killing wild rats. (i.e., research into effective poisons and traps).
  • Medical research, including research into the development of severe diseases (i.e., stroke, diabetes, cancer), modelling neurological disorders (i.e., Schizophrenia, Autism), modelling mood disorders (i.e., example, anxiety, and depression) and research into tinnitus.
  • Drug addiction research including research into the development and suppression of addictions and the impacts of drug use.
  • Basic biological research, including research into digestion, aging, nerve damage, obesity and how the brain functions.

Places that use rats for science in NZ include crown research institutes, private companies and universities. In fact, most universities have their own breeding colonies. Otago University states on its website that they have a dedicated rat testing room in the Behavioural Phenotyping Unit.3

Rats used for science in NZ are sourced from breeding units, public or commercial sources, the wild (captured) and they are imported from overseas.

Discover real-life examples of how rats have been used in NZ below!

Measuring thickness of blood vessel walls

Colony cats were anaesthetised, and the blood vessels under their tongue were measured with a special hand-held camera.

Publication Link

Collecting faeces for lab tests

Colony cats were fed different diets for three weeks before their faeces was collected for analyses.

Publication Link

Surveying caregivers on their cat feeding

New Zealand cat caregivers filled in an online survey about their household demographics and what/how they feed their cats.

Publication Link

Testing new toxin in Hawke’s Bay (again)

Toxic bait traps were placed on a property in Hawke’s Bay. Cat population changes were monitored with stationary cameras.

Publication Link

Assessing stress reaction to anaesthesia in cats

Cats were put through several anaesthetic infusions with six-day breaks in between. Regular saliva samples were taken 24 hours before and after, and urine was collected through a wire mesh tray.

Publication Link

Trialling ready-made toxic bait

Toxic bait stations are set up in a regular pattern in an area and left for two weeks. Trial cameras and tracking tunnels monitor the effect on the population.

Publication Link

Studying medical data of cat and dog CT-imaging

Medical data from cats and dogs were gathered, and animals that had been euthanised for other reasons were examined.

Publication Link

Testing if a human diabetes drug might also work in cats

Research cats were placed in individual cages four times (one week each time) and injected with either a diabetes drug or a control solution. Several blood and urine samples were taken.

Publication Link

Investigating how worms spread between lambs and calves

Lambs and calves were infected with worm eggs to see if parasites from cattle can infect sheep.

Publication Link

Testing a fertility treatment

Cows with fertility problems were treated with hormones for ten days or left untreated. All were then artificially inseminated.

Publication Link

Testing a supplement for more calcium intake

Pregnant cows were fed with or without a specific feed additive. After birth, all were fed the same diet. Blood samples were taken in the weeks around birth.

Publication Link

Checking endometritis rates in dairy herds

Some cows in several dairy herds were selected, and their vaginal discharge was measured and sampled. They were then impregnated as per standard agricultural practice.

Publication Link

Comparing weight gain with different diets

Newborn calves were raised on various milk, pasture, and pellets combinations. They were slaughtered at two years old, and their “quality” was measured.

Publication Link

Testing pain meds for disbudding

The horn buds of young calves who were slightly sedated were burned off with a hot iron. Half of them received pain meds beforehand, and blood samples were taken before and after. After 24 hours, the second group received pain meds, too.

Publication Link

Studying Ikeda infection and treatment

Regular blood samples were taken from cows on three different farms. Only some were treated against the parasite. Milk production and fertility were recorded.

Publication Link

Studying diarrhea infection

New mother cows had blood samples taken. If the sample was negative for a diarrhoea virus, they were sampled again after a while.

Publication Link

Analysing Greyhound race injury statistics

Historical data on Greyhound races between 2014 and 2019 were analysed. Injuries and deaths were investigated.

Publication Link

Using bones of euthanised shelter dogs

Cadavers of dogs killed at an animal shelter were donated. Holes were drilled into leg bones and fitted with screws.

Publication Link

Investigating farm dogs for four years

Working farms dogs were examined regularly for four years. Health problems and fate were recorded.

Publication Link

Transplanting faeces as diarrhoea treatment

A dog with diarrhoea was treated with laxatives and warm water before a faeces sample from a healthy dog was inserted into his colon. Samples were taken before and after.

Publication Link

Testing the eyes of working dogs

Eye examinations were performed on working sheep dogs. Medication for pupil dilation was given, and faeces samples were taken from most dogs.

Publication Link

Analysing dog movements

Colony dogs were prepared with reflective markers and an activity collar. Their movements on a treadmill at various speeds were recorded.

Publication Link

Testing the effect of diet on farm dog performance

Working dogs were fed a diet very high or very low in carbohydrates. Their blood glucose and activity were monitored three times over four days each.

Publication Link

Testing a parasite treatment

After a pilot study with just one dog, six more were given an experimental parasitic treatment. Regular blood samples were taken through a catheter.

Publication Link

Studying fish behaviour in groups of multiple species

Mixed-species groups of fish (partly caught in the wild) were placed in a tank and fasted for 24 hours. Food was given and an artificial predator was used to study behaviour.

Publication Link

Studying food chains near CO2 vents

Fish and snails were observed and counted near CO2 vents and at control sites. Fish were also caught to examine their stomach content.

Publication Link

Studying fish behaviour in single-species groups

Young fish were caught in the wild and split into groups of 15, 75, and 150 animals. After being fasted for 24 hours, food was given and an artificial predator was used to study behaviour.

Publication Link

Testing the side-bias of fish (if they prefer to swim left or right)

Wild-caught fish were kept for 1.5 years before each fish was placed on a runway to observe their behaviour. Afterwards, fish were observed for schooling movements and some were killed to dissect their brains.

Publication Link

Studying effects of Climate Change on farming in damselfish

Fish were observed for their algae farming behaviour near CO2 vents and at control sites (Bay of Plenty). Small areas were covered to keep the fish away for a month and compare algae growths measured to compare.

Publication Link

Trying to estimate habitat quality from body condition

Snappers were hatched from eggs and raised on commercial food. They were kept in 800-litre flow-through tanks containing 170 to 260 fish each. At 80 days, they were fasted killed.

Publication Link

Trying different techniques for tagging fish

Fish were bait-trapped and treated for parasites. They were used to test different tagging methods. In the second part of the experiment, fish were caught with two different methods, after which injuries and survival over 12 days were monitored.

Publication Link

Studying fish near volcanic vents to learn about Climate Change

Fish near volcanic CO2 vents and at control sites were observed and counted. The reaction to baited underwater cameras and predator threats was filmed. Aquarium experiments were conducted with caught fish of different species.

Publication Link

Developing a model for thermal stress in humans

Guinea pig pups were lightly anaesthetised, connected to devices measuring heart activity and breathing, and wrapped in a temperature-controlling blanket. Their body temperature was either forcefully raised or dropped.

Publication Link

Testing how too much fructose is bad during pregnancy

Female guinea pigs were mated; some were fed additional sugary water until birth. The pups were used for several glucose tolerance tests and X-rays. All pups were killed in the end.

Publication Link

Testing a seizure medicine for preterm babies

Pregnant guinea pigs were induced to give birth early, to test medication on their pups.

Publication Link

Testing the effects of sedatives

Young guinea pigs were treated with different sedatives. Their heart rate and blood pressure were measured before and during each treatment.

Publication Link

Testing a refined way of anaesthesia in guinea pigs

Guinea pigs were made to inhale anaesthetic gases. Different probes were inserted and attached to the animals to measure responses.

Publication Link

Studying the effect of fructose during pregnancy

Guinea pigs were fed either normally or supplemented with fruit sugar before and during pregnancy until birth. Mothers and pups were tested for glucose tolerance.

Publication Link

Studying the effects of meth

Guinea pigs were injected with sedatives, caffeine, and later meth. Under anaesthesia, their livers were cut out before they were killed.

Publication Link

Studying preterm birth effects on the brain

Pregnant guinea pigs were grouped to give birth normally or be induced early. The pups were put through behavioural tests and then killed for dissection.

Publication Link

Researching scoliosis genes

Transgenic mice with a specific gene defect were mated. Pregnant mice were at several time points. The unborn babies were taken, skinned, and gutted to stain their skeletons for better pictures.

Publication Link

Studying hormone influences on obesity and fertility

Transgenic mice were bred to have diabetes symptoms. Together with control mice, they were fed a normal or a high caloric diet and compared for their fertility over 150 days.

Publication Link

Testing a new stroke treatment

Mice were squeezed into plastic cones, and test drugs were dripped on their nose. An artificial stroke was caused by injecting a chemical into their brain. Before and after, mice had to perform behavioural tests. All were then killed to take their brains.

Publication Link

Testing another new stroke treatment

Mice were operated on several times. They were made to experience an artificial stroke, were later injected with a possible treatment, and then were injected with a marker. The mice had their memory tested before they were killed.

Publication Link

Testing prostate cancer drugs

Mice were anaesthetised, and their prostate was injected with cancer cells or a control solution. A 42-day treatment course started three weeks later with different treatment drugs and control solutions. In the end, all mice were killed.

Publication Link

Testing a heart attack treatment

Mice were trained to eat jelly and then subjected to an artificial heart attack. They received either a new drug or a control substance. Regular heart ultrasounds were performed before they were killed and dissected.

Publication Link

Studying ovary problems caused by testosterone

Transgenic mice were implanted with a capsule containing either hormones or not. Vaginal smears were done for several weeks, and serial blood tests were performed twice. In the end, all mice were killed.

Publication Link

Testing an Autism treatment on transgenic mice

Mice were genetically modified to show "autism-like" symptoms. Together with control animals, they were either fed normally or with a high-zinc diet. Invasive behavioural tests were performed. At least some, likely all, were killed.

Publication Link

Studying the effect of certain lipids in formula on brain development

Piglets were kept individually and fed formula with different supplementation. After 18 days, they were killed.

Publication Link

Harvesting bladders to study contraction patterns

The bladders of six pigs were surgically removed under anaesthesia before the pigs were killed.

Publication Link

Testing toxic bait

Pigs were fed toxic bait and monitored until they died.

Publication Link

Testing the effect of a shot to the head

Pigs were anaesthetised and shot in the back of the head from different distances. Effects were recorded and analysed.

Publication Link

Training students in surgical procedures

Pigs and sheep were used for training future surgeons.

Publication Link

Teaching students surgical techniques

Sheep and pigs were used and killed in teaching students.

Publication Link

Testing the viability of xenotransplantation using islet capsules

Newborn piglets were killed for their pancreas. Encapsulated pancreas cells were then implanted into young mice, who were killed later to retrieve the capsules.

Publication Link

Testing measurement of specific proteins

Pigs were surgically fitted with an outside access to their intestine and kept individually for eight weeks. Digestive matter was collected over ten hours on one day, while the pigs had no access to food or water.

Publication Link

Studying food intake in an autism "model"

Pregnant rats were injected to cause autism-like symptoms in their babies. The male babies were put through behavioural tests with control animals as well as a feeding study. Some were fasted for 16 hours and killed by flushing their hearts.

Publication Link

Testing the safety of a probiotic supplement

Rats were force-fed with a probiotic solution or control solution. After two weeks, they were killed for dissection.

Publication Link

Studying the effects of obesity and mussel powder on bone health

Rats were kept alone and fed different diets containing normal or high amounts of fat or sugar. Some were supplemented with Greenshell mussel powder. X-rays were done, and some rats' ovaries were removed. Ultimately, all were killed by bleeding them out.

Publication Link

Testing if a brain region controls memory

Some rats had their brains surgically heat-damaged. Electrodes were implanted to monitor brain activity and to stimulate the damaged parts with light. Rats then had to re-perform memory tests to see the impact before all were killed.

Publication Link

Studying the communication between inner ear and brain

Rats were anaesthetised, and their inner ear was partly removed, before parts of their brains were stimulated with wire electrodes. Reactions of the rat's eyes and brain were recorded. In the end, all rats were killed.

Publication Link

Testing a connection between tinnitus and brain function

Rats were anaesthetised and one ear was damaged with noise. Rats were taught that silence meant they would get electric shocks and freeze in fear. This was a test for tinnitus.

Publication Link

Testing diabetic rats’ hearts

Genetically diabetic fat rats and their lean littermates were anaesthetised. Ultrasound images were made from their hearts. All were killed and dissected.

Publication Link

Testing the effect of diabetes on pregnancy hormones

Rats were anaesthetised, and their brain was accessed through the mouth to measure reactions to stimulation. In the end, all rats were killed.

Publication Link

Investigating how worms spread between lambs and calves

Lambs and calves were infected with worm eggs to see if parasites from cattle can infect sheep.

Publication Link

Using sheep to try and model how well humans will heal after dental surgery

Sheep had healthy teeth pulled out and the sockets treated in different ways to compare how well the body will heal after a tooth is removed when left untreated vs using a bone graft.

Publication Link

Preclinical testing of a gene therapy for Batten disease

Sheep with and without a specific gene mutation were checked and scanned regularly for nine months. Affected sheep received gene therapy at different ages. Treated sheep were killed.

Publication Link

Testing if blocking a cell signal can prevent foetal brain injury

Pregnant sheep were anaesthetised, and the foetuses fitted with electrodes. The umbilical cord was blocked for most of them, and half were treated with a test drug. Mothers and unborn lambs were killed three weeks later.

Publication Link

Testing the combination of drugs for congestive heart failure treatment

Sheep were anaesthetised and subjected to surgery. Electrodes were used to pace their hearts faster while testing the effect of different drugs.

Publication Link

Testing the best way to deliver gene therapy drugs

Sheep were anaesthetised. Their heads were drilled into, and their brains injected with test drugs. They were killed after three weeks.

Publication Link

Testing the potency of pneumonia vaccines for sheep

Lambs were vaccinated twice and regular blood samples were taken for 34 weeks, to test different pneumonia vaccines for sheep.

Publication Link

Testing the effects and wash-out of painkillers

Lambs were treated with different painkillers or no painkillers at all before tail docking and castration. Their behaviour was monitored.

Publication Link

Investigating intestine movements

Young pigs and NZ White rabbits were anaesthetised. A part of their intestine was pulled out far enough to record its movements and signalling.

Publication Link

Harvesting rabbit and pig eyes for lab tests

The eyes of slaughtered rabbits and pigs killed for experiments were used to analyse the structure of the cornea.

Publication Link

Causing sinusitis in rabbits as a model

NZ White rabbits were anaesthetised, and a sinus tract in their nose was blocked for four weeks to cause sinusitis. After another ten weeks with regular samples, they were killed.

Publication Link

Testing a new vaccine

NZ White rabbits were injected with a new vaccine type several times before being killed.

Publication Link

Harvesting eyes for lab tests

The eyes of pigs and rabbits killed for experiments were used to analyse the structure of the cornea.

Publication Link

Testing the toxicity of some substances

Young NZ White rabbits were force-fed different doses of toxic substances. Blood samples were taken before and immediately after killing them at set time points (or to end their suffering).

Publication Link

Using a new imaging technology

One NZ White rabbit and rats were killed, and their eyes were removed to use for the study.

Publication Link

Measuring contractions in exposed rabbit uteruses

Pregnant rabbits were anaesthetised, and their uterus was exposed. Measurements were taken while contraction-inducing injections were given. Then they were all killed for dissection.

Publication Link

With your help we can end animal experimentation in Aotearoa.