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Swine have been increasingly used in biomedical research both as general large-animal biological models in teaching and research, and for the study of specific disease conditions due to their anatomic and physiologic characteristics Swindle, Textbooks specific to the use of swine as laboratory animals are available Swindle, , ; Stanton and Mersmann, ; Bollen, Hansen, and Rasmussen, Proceedings books from symposia on the use of swine in research are also available Swindle, ; Tumbleson, ; Tumbleson and Schook, Commercial breeds of domestic swine raised for meat production are readily available worldwide.
There is a wide variability in the health status of the various herds. It is a program based on management procedures that reduce or eliminate diseases that stunt growth. Pigs designated SPF are a good source for biomedical research; however, it must be remembered that the designation does not mean that the animals are completely free of diseases that may interfere with research.
It is best to buy animals from a herd in which the institutional veterinarian has screened for complicating diseases. Commercial breeds have limited availability from commercial suppliers of laboratory animals Saffron and Gonder, ; Swindle et al. When using domestic breeds of swine, the growth factors are a major consideration.
Swine reach sexual maturity and a commercial slaughter weight of approximately โ kg at 5โ6 months of age. At birth, swine weigh approximately 3 kg average ; consequently, there is an exponential growth phase during the adolescent period. Most swine used in research programs are 15โ30 kg and are 8โ12 weeks of age. Weight gain during this period may be 2โ5 kg per week.
