Sinclair^TM Miniature Swine

Background

• Domesticated miniature swine
• Bred by Sinclair Research Center

Origin

• Developed by Hormel Institute at the University of Minnesota in 1949. First miniature swine stock developed specifically for research purposes.
• Sinclair (Hormel) miniature swine were developed by crossing four feral breeds. Later, a Yorkshire boar provided white hair color to the dark pigment animals.
• Portion of original Sinclair herd acquired with breeding rights by the University of Missouri, Columbia in 1965. A few additions of Sinclair miniature swine were made from satellite herds in the early 1970s.
• The colony has been closed, thereafter maintained by random breeding, and named Sinclair S-1 miniature swine.
• Colony maintained since 1991 by least-related breeding program.
• Sinclair acquired complete production and research facilities from the University of Missouri, Columbia in 1994.

Characteristics

• Purpose-bred, socialized, and vaccinated.
• Slow growth rate.
• Different hair coat colors that facilitate identification.
• Free from common domestic swine diseases; e.g. leptospirosis, brucellosis, pseudorabies, transmissible gastroenteritis, porcine reproductive respiratory syndrome, encephalomyocarditis virus, toxoplasmosis, etc.
• Used as animal models in multiple research areas: cardiovascular, musculoskeletal, urogenital, oncology (melanoma), immunology, reproduction toxicology, teratology, dermatology, gastroenterology, respiration, nutrition, pediatrics, etc.
• Unique Model: One lineage of the Sinclair miniature swine develops a malignant spontaneously regressing melanoma.
• Well adapted to the laboratory environment and very useful when only limited space is available.

Additional Resources:

 Growth Charts

 Literature Sheet