Animal Model
A non-human species used in research to study biological processes or diseases relevant to human health. Rodents are most common in peptide research. Animal model data provide the safety evidence required for an IND application to begin human clinical trials.
Technical Context
Peptide-relevant disease models include: DIO mice (diet-induced obesity — 60% fat diet for 12-16 weeks, modelling metabolic syndrome/T2D), ob/ob mice (leptin-deficient, spontaneous obesity), db/db mice (leptin receptor-deficient, T2D), STZ mice/rats (streptozotocin-induced beta cell destruction, modelling T1D/beta cell failure), WHHL rabbits (familial hypercholesterolaemia), spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR, for cardiovascular studies), nude/SCID mice (immunodeficient, for xenograft tumour models), EAE mice (experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis, modelling MS), and collagen-induced arthritis (CIA, modelling rheumatoid arthritis). For GnRH compound testing: castrated animal models with testosterone pellet implants assess androgen suppression. Critical consideration: peptide receptors may differ between species in expression pattern, affinity, or signalling — limiting direct translatability of animal data to humans.