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Metabolic Cages for a Space Flight Model in the RatA variety of space flight models are available to mimic the physiologic changes seen in the rat during weightlessness. The model reported by Wronski and Morey-Holton has been widely used by many investigators, in musculoskeletal physiologic studies especially, resulting in accumulation of an extensive database that enables scientists to mimic space flight effects in the 1-g environment of Earth. However, information on nutrition or gastrointestinal and renal function in this space flight model is limited by the difficulty in acquiring uncontaminated metabolic specimens for analysis. In the Holton system, a traction tape harness is applied to the tail, and the rat's hindquarters are elevated by attaching the harness to a pulley system. Weight-bearing hind limbs are unloaded, and there is a headward fluid shift. The tail-suspended rats are able to move freely about their cages on their forelimbs and tolerate this procedure with minimal signs of stress. The cage used in Holton's model is basically a clear acrylic box set on a plastic grid floor with the pulley and tail harness system attached to the open top of the cage. Food is available from a square food cup recessed into a corner of the floor. In this system, urine, feces, and spilled food fall through the grid floor onto absorbent paper beneath the cage and cannot be separated and recovered quantitatively for analysis in metabolic balance studies. Commercially available metabolic cages are generally cylindrical and have been used with a centrally located suspension apparatus in other space flight models. The large living area, three times as large as most metabolic cages, and the free range of motion unique to Holton's model, essential for musculoskeletal investigations, were sacrificed. Holton's cages can accommodate animals ranging in weight from 70 to 600 g. Although an alternative construction of Holton's cage has been reported, it does not permit collection of separate urine and fecal samples. We describe the modifications to Holton's food delivery system, cage base, and the addition of a separator system for the collection of urine and fecal samples for metabolic and nutrition studies in the tail suspension model.
Document ID
20000069788
Acquisition Source
Ames Research Center
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Harper, Jennifer S.
(NASA Ames Research Center Moffett Field, CA United States)
Mulenburg, Gerald M.
(NASA Ames Research Center Moffett Field, CA United States)
Evans, Juli
(NASA Ames Research Center Moffett Field, CA United States)
Navidi, Meena
(NASA Ames Research Center Moffett Field, CA United States)
Wolinsky, Ira
(Houston Univ. TX United States)
Arnaud, Sara B.
(NASA Ames Research Center Moffett Field, CA United States)
Date Acquired
August 19, 2013
Publication Date
December 1, 1994
Publication Information
Publication: Laboratory Animal Science
Publisher: American Association for Laboratory Animal Science
Subject Category
Life Sciences (General)
Funding Number(s)
PROJECT: RTOP 199-26-12-02
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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