How to monitor breathing in laboratory rodents: a review of the current methods

J Neurophysiol. 2018 Aug 1;120(2):624-632. doi: 10.1152/jn.00708.2017. Epub 2018 May 23.

Abstract

Accurately measuring respiration in laboratory rodents is essential for many fields of research, including olfactory neuroscience, social behavior, learning and memory, and respiratory physiology. However, choosing the right technique to monitor respiration can be tricky, given the many criteria to take into account: reliability, precision, and invasiveness, to name a few. This review aims to assist experimenters in choosing the technique that will best fit their needs, by surveying the available tools, discussing their strengths and weaknesses, and offering suggestions for future improvements.

Keywords: breathing; respiration; sniffing.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Body Temperature
  • Monitoring, Physiologic / instrumentation*
  • Monitoring, Physiologic / methods*
  • Research Design*
  • Respiration*
  • Rodentia