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Rats: Animals
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Rats are often used in scientific experiments; many animal rights activists allege that treatment of rats in this context is cruel. The term "lab rat" is therefore sometimes used, like guinea pig, to describe a person who is manipulated in a social experiment.
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The rats were exposed to a light/dark cycle, with standard temperature and humidity levels. The animals were randomly selected to receive chemical injection of the streptozotocin (STZ) to induce diabetes. Those rats that did not receive STZ (vehicle injected) served as controls. The experiments began on each of the rats four weeks after the injections.
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Both male and female rats make wonderful pets. Females are smaller, softer, and considerably more active than males. People love to watch the antics of female rats. On the other hand, males are normally happier sitting on your lap and having their heads scratched. Rats can even be neutered, like cats or dogs, so that you can keep males and females together. Rats are very social animals, so at OMSI, several rats live together.
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In the second study, rats with severe optic nerve damage were injected with T-cells sensitized to respond to antigens of myelin basic protein (MBP), a substance present at sites of nerve damage in the CNS. Treated rats retained approximately 300% more functional neurons than did untreated animals, suggesting a powerful neuroprotective effect. In addition, electrophysiological activity in injured optic nerves was significantly reduced by injection of MBP-activated T-cells. Abnormally intense electrophysiological activity is known to play a role in progressive neuronal damage.
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While most people will cringe at the thought of having a rat for a pet, believe it or not, domestic rats make great pets! They are not aggressive, diseased and dirty animals, but in fact are clean, fun loving, sensitive, very social and affectionate. They genuinely enjoy interacting with people and should be handled daily. Rats are very intelligent and can be taught simple tricks, such as stay and sit and will often learn their name. They can ... be litter box trained. Rats will often develop a connection with their owner, wanting daily attention.
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Specially bred rats have been kept as pets at least since the late 19th century. Rats are intelligent animals and can be trained to use a litter box, come when called, and perform a variety of tricks. Pet rats are typically of variants of the species R. Norvegicus, or Brown rat, but Black rats and Giant pouched rats are ... known to be kept. Pet rats behave differently than their wild relatives depending on how many generations they have been removed, and when acquired from reliable sources, they do not pose any more health risk than other, more common pets.
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