The Functional Metabolism Unit offers a full suite of services for the analysis of mouse metabolism. The core’s Columbus Instruments Comprehensive Lab Animal Monitoring System (CLAMS) allows for simultaneous measurement of key metabolic parameters in mice including food intake, energy expenditure, locomotor activity levels and body temperature. Our additional instrumentation can measure heat lost due to thermal radiation; and energy content of digested food using a bomb calorimeter. We also offer measurement of body fat content and lean body mass in live mice using Echo-MRI. These services are available both on conventionally housed animals and on germ-free mice in single micro-isolator cages.
Core Services:
Comprehensive Lab Animal Monitoring System (CLAMS)
The Columbus Instruments Comprehensive Lab Animal Monitoring System (CLAMS) is a system of metabolic cages which allows for simultaneous measurement of numerous metabolic parameters including oxygen consumption (VO2), carbon dioxide production (VCO2), respiratory exchange ratio (RER), food consumption, locomotor activity levels, and (using implantable transmitters) core body temperature and heart rate.
The cages are enclosed in a light- and temperature-controlled environment, enabling the user to collect data at varied ambient temperatures. Each runs lasts 3-12 days depending on the requirements of varying ambient temperatures or dosing schedule for exogenous compounds. Typically, mice are allowed to acclimate in the cages for 2 days and then data are collected for 1 day. When varying the ambient temperature, mice are again acclimated for 2 days followed by 1 day of data collection. To monitor core body temperatures, surgery to implant temperature transmitters is performed one week prior to entering the CLAMS. This allows mice to fully recover from surgery prior to experiments. These services are available both on conventionally housed animals and on germ-free mice in single micro-isolator cages.
EchoMRI
The BWH Metabolic Core has acquired two EchoMRI 3-in-1 Body Composition Analyzers. These instruments provide precise body composition measurements of fat, lean, free water, and total water masses in either tissue samples or live animals weighing up to 100 grams.
As well as providing important data in its own right, the ability to measure body composition is critical to interpretation of metabolic rates.
Germ-Free CLAMS Cages
The BWH Metabolic Core has 24 germ-free CLAMS cages available for CLAMS studies. Germ-free mice will be housed in individually ventilated cages and maintained in sterile conditions, on a commercial laboratory diet. The CLAMS studies include measurement of numerous metabolic parameters including oxygen consumption (VO2), carbon dioxide production (VCO2), respiratory exchange ratio (RER), food consumption, locomotor activity levels, and (using implantable transmitters) core body temperature and heart rate.
FLIR Infrared Camera
The BWH Metabolic Core FLIR T420SC Thermal Imaging Camera and ResearchIR software enable users to measure heat lost due to thermal radiation, a potentially significant mechanism of weight loss and energy homeostasis.
The camera allows imaging resolution to within 0.2C, allowing for the measurement of vasodialation or constriction.
Oxygen Bomb Calorimetry
A Parr 6725EA Semimicro Calorimeter and 1107 Oxygen Bomb allow the BWH Metabolic Core to measure the energy content of fecal waste from mice following different genetic or environmental stimuli, enabling crucial assessment of food metabolism efficiency in experimental mice.
To inquire further please fill out our online request form or contact us at microbiome@bwh.harvard.edu.