Table 2 Advantages and disadvantages of ferret model used for biomedical research
From: Care, management, and use of ferrets in biomedical research
SI. No | Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|---|
1 | Hardy nature | Complicated husbandry requirements compared to other animal models |
2 | Social behavior | Higher cost |
3 | Small size compared to non-rodent models | Minimal commercial availability |
4 | Relatively low amount of test compounds required compared to canine and non-human primate models | Enormous relative heterogeneity |
5 | Early sexual maturity (approximately eight months of age) compared to large animal models | Lack of availability of inbred and specific pathogen–free ferrets |
6 | Ability to vomit compared to rodents and lagomorphs: To study the emetic potential of future candidates in oncology | Shortage of contract laboratories with experience using them |
7 | Absence of inverted yolk sac placenta: Useful in teratogenicity research | Low number of quality breeders |
8 | Susceptible to several known human teratogens including methyl mercury, ethyl alcohol, thalidomide, vitamin A analogues, and alkylating anticancer agents | Lack of comprehensive databases |
9 | Upper and lower respiratory tracts similar to humans | Â |
10 | Ability to cough and sneeze | Â |
11 | Susceptible to unadapted human influenza virus isolates | Â |
12 | The ability to monitor viral shedding kinetics from both the upper and/or lower respiratory tracts using nasal washing or lower bronchoalveolar lavage | Â |
13 | Ferret ACE2 (angiotensin-converting enzyme 2) gene is phylogenetically equivalent to that of humans | Â |
14 | Presence of outer subventricular zone (OSVZ) progenitor in brain similar to primates, especially in humans | Â |