Zucker rat

The Zucker rat is a laboratory rat strain used in research to study obesity and metabolic disorders. These rats have a genetic mutation in the leptin receptor gene, which impairs their ability to regulate hunger and energy expenditure properly. As a result, they tend to overeat and develop obesity, making them useful models for understanding human obesity, diabetes, and related conditions. Researchers study Zucker rats to explore how genetics influence weight gain and metabolic health, and to develop potential treatments for these disorders.