The Mouse Metabolic Phenotyping Platform at the Division of Endocrinology & Metabolism comprises three components: metabolic chambers, an EchoMRI body-composition analyzer, and physical performance characterization (via treadmill, rotarod, and grip-strength testing).

1. Metabolic Chambers (energy expenditure measuring system):
   The Columbus Instruments Comprehensive Lab Animal Monitoring System (CLAMS) measures:
   • Metabolic performance via indirect calorimetry, O₂ consumption and CO₂ production, Respiratory Exchange Rate (RER), and Energy Expenditure
   • Food intake: both amount and temporal pattern
   • Locomotor activity via sensor frames (based on IR beam breaking): total activity along 3 axes or spontaneous wheel running activity
   • 8 metabolic chambers are housed within a temperature-controlled cabinet with programmable temperature from 4 to 40 degrees C and programmable light cycles
2. EchoMRI system:
   The EcoMRI 3-in-1 system provides quantitative information of total body fat and lean mass in awake mice (no anesthesia needed). Composition of organs can also be determined
3. Physical performance characterization:
   Physical performance of mice can be characterized using:
   • Treadmill: Columbus Instruments Exer 6 Open Treadmill with Manual Incline
   • Rotarod: Columbus Instruments Rotamex-5
   • Grip Strength: Columbus Instruments Grip Strength Meter

General Information for Experimental Design Considerations:

A full analysis of respiration in the metabolic chambers requires at least 48 hours (24 hours of acclimatization) over a period of 3 calendar days. To gather statistically significant data, a minimum of 8 mice per group should be analyzed. With 2 groups (one experimental and one control), at least 2 runs are therefore required.
Maximum throughput of the EchoMRI system is approximately 15 mice per hour. Each mouse is scanned twice in rapid succession.

Facility Directors:
Michelle Kimple, PhD
Dudley Lamming, PhD

Contact:
m2p2@lists.wisc.edu