ApoE knockout rats

• 16 bp deletion within Exon 3 on chromosome 1
• Administration of high fat diets to ApoE KO rats has resulted in significantly reduced lifespan (Inotiv does not recommend administering high fat diets to ApoE KO rats)
• At an early age (5- and 10-week-old), ApoE knockouts demonstrate significantly higher serum cholesterol
• Background strain: Sprague Dawley
• Homozygous knockouts exhibit complete loss of ApoE protein via Western blot

Availability: Live colony
Zygosity genotype: Homozygous as live colony

Apolipoprotein E (ApoE) is a critical apoprotein of the chylomicron which binds to a specific receptor on liver cells and peripheral cells. Defects in ApoE result in disrupted transportation of lipoproteins, fat-soluble vitamins and cholesterol into the lymph systems, and then into blood.

ApoE is essential for the normal metabolism of lipids. It is expressed in the liver, intestines and brain, preventing the accumulation of cholesterol-rich particles in plasma. Widely studied for its role in cardiovascular disease and lipoprotein transport, it has more recently been implicated in Alzheimer's disease and cognition, making this a useful model for the study of atherosclerosis, Alzheimer's and nerve injury.

Origin:

The ApoE KO rat model was originally created at SAGE Labs, Inc. in St. Louis, MO and distributed out of the Boyertown, PA facility. The line continues to be maintained through the original SAGE Labs animal inventory acquired by Envigo, then Envigo was acquired by Inotiv in 2021.

Diet and Husbandry:
Our rodent models are raised and maintained on Teklad diet, bedding, and enrichment products:

• Diet: Teklad Global Rodent Diet
• Bedding: Teklad Contact Bedding (U.S. only)
• Enrichment: Teklad Enrichment Products (U.S. only)

Model Support Services:
Inotiv offers related model support services to deliver research-ready models to your facility:

• Surgical Services
• Preconditioning Services
• Aging Services
• Contract Breeding Services
• Biospecimen Services

Health Monitoring Report Update
Inotiv is standardizing global health monitoring to deliver consistent, rigorous surveillance. Updated reports featuring our revised testing frequencies and agents will begin with the September 2026 cycle with reports becoming available between mid-September and early October.

Historical data for the previous 18 months will remain available under the Technical Resources tab. For details on monitored agents and testing frequencies, visit our Health Monitoring Reports page.  Please contact us if you have any questions or concerns.

• United States - Building 410 Denver, PA

Available regions:

For pricing information, please contact us using the phone number above.

• iCare Program: Continuity of Care — US
• Model information sheet

Archived Health Monitoring Reports

• United States - Building 410 Denver, PA