INTRODUCTION
The rabbit, Oryctolagus cuniculus, has been used extensively in many areas of biomedical research and in safety testing of products for human use. The most commonly used rabbit in research is the New Zealand white rabbit.
Biomedical research has included cancer, aging, cardiovascular disease, experimental ophthalmology, infectious diseases, reproductive physiology, metabolism and kidney disease.
The rabbit has also been used for safety testing products for human use. Pyrogen testing of agents intended to be infused or injected in humans is often performed with rabbits.