Rats are one of the representative experimental animals since the genetic and environmental effects is comparatively easy to control and standardize. The rat is rather suitable as model for physiology, neuroethology, pathology and toxicology due to an approximately ten times larger body size compared to a mouse, offering several unique advantages in surgical procedures and clinical sampling of blood, tissues, etc. This paper review the cultivation and utilization history of the rat resources abroad to provide references of collecting, sharing and utilizing laboratory rat resources in our country.