The use of sheep as a model for studying peripheral nerve regeneration following nerve injury: review of the literature

Peripheral nerve injury and regeneration is a challenging scientific field with relevant clinical implications. Most peripheral nerve regeneration studies have been mainly carried out on rodents. However, it is important to note that the validity of the rodent as a model to study nerve injury and regeneration and translate these results into clinical practice has been questioned by several researchers. To overcome this problem, some investigators have used companion animals and large animal species as models for experimental peripheral nerve regeneration studies. Live sheep are often used in biomedical research because of availability, simplicity of care and housing, cost and body weight similar to humans and acceptance by society as a research animal. Despite these advantages, studies on nerve regeneration and repair in sheep have only been undertaken a few decades ago and compared to rat and mice experimental studies, there are much fewer investigations. The authors have compiled and sorted the available literature on experimental ovine nerve studies in order to guide the peripheral nerve investigator in choosing clinically relevant and interpretable models for studies on neural regeneration that are much needed in order to make progress towards new surgical and medical treatment of peripheral nerves.