Laboratory rats are the animal of choice in neurobiology, with a more complex behavioral repertoire than mice and a larger brain permitting more sophisticated electrophysiological recordings. Recent developments in gene editing technologies have now allowed the development of genetically linked disorders.  

The Medical College of Wisconsin has been working with the Simons Foundation Autism Research Initiative (SFARI) to generate and distribute engineered rat models of autism. Models will be maintained in the outbred Long-Evans (Crl:LE) background strain, as this is often the strain of choice for cognitive, behavioral and systems neuroscience studies. These models are available to any qualified researcher for non-commercial research, with minimal cost and restrictions.

Characteristics

Information on the efforts to initially characterize these models can be found on the SFARI website here

RGD curation of phenotypes: We try to provide links to any available phenotype resources on these models on the individual strain pages. Curated phenotype annotations and links to publications including preprints are included. Please click on the individual RGDID links above to see what publications or other information is available for each model. Please help us! Use the feedback button on the strain page to let us know that you found another source of phenotype information!

Breeding Characteristics: Grin2b, Arid1b, Dyrk1a, Scn2a and Chd8 are all homozygous lethal like the mice, so we can distribute heterozygous and control wildtype littermates for either sex. Usually, we distribute het and wildtype males for the Fmr1, but with advanced notice, we can generate homozygous females by intercross.  For Cntnap2 and Nrxn1 we can intercross to generate homozygous animals, but our colonies are small, so advanced notice and lead time is required. See below for information on breeding recommendations.

Procurement

Each of the ASD models is available from breeding colonies maintained at the Medical College of Wisconsin for a small fee per animal (FY2025 $100, subject to change), which helps support the overall resource. MCW can provide small cohorts of animals, but large cohort orders need lead time.

Some or all models may also be available for distribution from the Simons Initiative for the Developing Brain (SIDB) at the University of Edinburgh, U.K. Please contact mcwcustomrats@mcw.edu for availability first. A simple Uniform Biological Materials Transfer Agreement (UBMTA) with the Medical College of Wisconsin is required, regardless of the source of animals. Investigators are free to initiate their own breeding colonies, MCW can provide genotyping protocols, and genotyping companies have established assays for most of the strains, if not all.

Shipping costs: We unfortunately cannot provide estimates of vendor shipping costs. These costs range wildly dependent on vendor, temperature, number and age of animals which determines the number of shipping crates. We suggest contacting your own vivarium administration for preferred vendors and to get a quote. Shipping preparations by MCW (crates, materials, and vet staff labor) are also the responsibility of the requesting investigator.

Contact the MCW Rodent Model Resource for more information: mcwcustomrats@mcw.edu.

Contact SFARI for further information on specific lines, as well as suggestions and comments on our efforts more generally: models@simonsfoundation.org.

Publication

We very much appreciate recognition as the source of these animal models and information regarding their development and characterization. Please acknowledge the Simons Foundation Autism Research Initiative and Medical College of Wisconsin Rodent Model Resource for developing these models. We encourage researchers to cite the RRID (example: RRID:RGD_11553873) when referring to the strain in publications.

Breeding

We take care to maintain the genetic diversity of these models to minimize genetic drift, maintain genetic diversity and strain phenotypes, and to be consistent with vendor-produced Long Evans (Crl:LE) animals as much as possible.

The diagram below outlines recommended breeding strategies for each model for maintaining genetic diversity while also generating genetically similar mutant and control littermates. This overall breeding strategy helps to maintain the original outbred genetic nature of these models and is recommended for all laboratories who establish their own breeding colonies to avoid genetic drift and contrasting phenotypic variability across the autism research community.