Introduction and considerations
Disturbances in energy metabolism can lead to obesity and associated metabolic disorders such as type 2 diabetes, hypertension and cardiovascular diseases, and may be linked to certain types of cancers, cognitive dysfunction and neurodegenerative diseases. Whole body energy balance is dependent upon various components of energy intake and energy expenditure that needs to be assessed simultaneously to elucidate whole-body metabolism.
NTS has various diets in stock that may be used in combination with the metabolic phenotyping service.
Description of the NTS metabolic core facility
The NTS phenotyping platform is under development. It currently consists of metabolic phenotyping, glucose-, insulin-, and pyruvate tolerance tests. Equipment for non-invasive body mass composition (MRI/DEXA) will be added in near future. The NTS metabolic phenotyping platform is equipped with the following:
Metabolic phenotyping plattform (Phenomaster, delivered by TSE Systems):
- Two separate climatic chambers with ability to adjust light cycle, humidity and temperature (down to 4°C).
- 20 individual cages in climatic chambers (10 in each chamber).
- A sensor for accurate measurement of O2 consumption and CO2 production.
- Measurement of gas exchange for each individual cage every 20 minutes (or less, depending on the number of experimental animals being monitored).
- Each individual animal cage is equipped with:
- Tubes for gas exchange.
- Three individual weight sensors for accurate measurement of food-, and liquid intake and/or body weight.
- Feed-access device to program accessibility to food/liquid.
- An infrared frame for detection of movements in the XY-plane.
- Running wheels for monitoring of voluntary exercise.
Body composition analysis
- DEXA/MRI for body composition measurements (to determine fat content).
Benefits
- Complete monitoring of metabolism.
- Determination of glucose clearance and insulin sensitivity.
- Determination of body fat content (to be added).
Requirements and time-frame
- The customer must decide on diet and number of animals to be tested.
- Mice needs to be delivered to NTS no later than 1 week prior to the experiment to get the acclimatized to alternative drink and feeding devices.
Technical service performed by NTS
- Administration of the project and coordination with the animal department.
- Reservation of the equipment for 1 week.
- Technical time (estimated >10 hours) to calibrate sensors, prepare for experiment, daily inspection of animals, and wash after completed experiment.
- Conversion of data into excel files.
Costs cover the following
- Use of the equipment for one week.
- Technical time to set up, run and wash equipment. Conversion of data into excel files and data analysis.
- Measurement of body composition (will be added in 2018).
Service Fees
Estimated costs for the above service can be found on our Service Fees page.