Gerbil, Psammomys obesus, a human-like rodent model of eye research

Abstract

The purpose of this chapter is to illustrate the use of rodents other than mice and rats as relevant models of nutritionally human eye diseases. The sand rat or Psammomys obesus (P. obesus), is a desert rodent from the subfamily Gerbillinae, which has been widely used as an excellent animal model of diet-induced diabetes and metabolic syndrome. In previous studies, we showed that P. obesus develops type II diabetes when exposed to a high-calorie diet under laboratory conditions, resulting in diabetic retinopathy with similar visual disorders to that observed in humans. In this chapter, we will explore the notable similarities and differences between the human and rodent visual systems and the pertinence of using P. obesus as animal model of eye research. Retinal function, particularly that mediated by cone, will also be illustrated.