Dictionary of Biological Psychology
A strain of genetically obese RAT, carrying the recessive allele fa in the homozygous condition (FA/FA). Rats carrying the dominant allele (Fa), either heterozygous (Fa/ fa) or homozygous (Fa/Fa) will be lean, not obese.
Zucker rats have massively enlarged fat depots, with more and larger adipocytes (see ADIPOSE TISSUE). They eat about one-third as much again as their lean littermates and deposit a greater proportion of their ENERGY intake as FAT. Obese Zucker rats also tend, surprisingly, to have a shorter NASAL-ANAL LENGTH than normal and have a variety of smaller problems, such as a greasy fur and skin.
See also: leptin; obesity; ob/ob mouse
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