Scientifically, the pig is attractive because of a similar physiology to humans. The digestive, cardiovascular and urogenital system resemble the human systems, while the anatomy of the skin is very similar to the human skin. Also, metabolic activity and enzymatic processes have close parallels to the human situation (Kannosuke et al. 1986). As a result, the minipig is a preferred model in pharmacodynamic studies (Shimada et al. 1986), ADME studies (Ikeda & Sapienza 1995, Sapienza et al. 1986) acute and chronic systemic toxicology (Hyvonen et al. 1986, Klinghardt et al. 1981) and dermal toxicity studies (Hanhijarvi et al. 1985), but also in more specialized studies as fertility and teratological studies (Hayama & Kokue 1985, Jnrgensen 1994, Misawa et al. 1982) Economically, the minipig is attractive because of a low weight at birth, sexual maturity and adult age. Also, the enzymatic P-450 system reaches a mature level in the minipig at a small size, at an age of two months (Freudenthal et al. 1976). A small size is advantageous for both dosing size (often in small amounts synthesized test compound) and housing requirements. Also is it handle a small minipig than a large landrace pig.Ethically, the use of non-rodent species as primates and dogs in biomedical research is confronted with an increasing resistance from society. The pig is an advantageous alternutbe species, since it is accepted by society as a production animal and thus has a lower emotional merit.The Gottingen Minipig was developed in 1961-62 at the Institute of Animal Breeding and Genetics of the University of Gottingen (Germany), by crossing the Minnesota minipig with the Vietnamese potbelly swine and the German Landrace. This gave the Gottingen Minipig its present characteristics, being a small, white miniature pig with a good fertility and stable genetics. The Gottingen Minipig is an outbred animal, with less than 5% inbreeding (Glodek 1986).The Gottingen Minipig has a weight at birth of 350-450 g. Boars are sexually mature at an age of 3-4 months, weighing 6-8 kg, while sows are sexually mature at an age of 4-5 months, weighing 7-9 kg. The adult weight of the Gottingen Minipig, at an age of two years, is about 35-40 kg. Compared to other breeds of miniature swine, the Gottingen Minipig is among the smallest, with a weight less than the Yucatan Micropig (Meddahi 1994). Reside this, the Gottingen Minipig is advantageous because of a high producn'on standard at the full-barrier breeding centre near Dalmose (Denmark), resulting in a defined microbiology.
70-90 kg
40-45 kg
35-40 kgThe Gottingen Minipigs is successfully applied in dermal studies, oral studies and continuous infusion studies. Also in local toxicity studies, by intra-lipomatous injection, the Gottingen Minipig is a favourable model.Demuzl application allows testing for acute or chronic dermal irritation, dermal absorption and phototoxic effects. The Gottingen Minipig has a large, unpigmented skin surface, which makes it possible to use non-invasive techniques, such as reflectrome...
