Mechanical ventilation of mice

Abstract

Due to growing interest in murine functional genomics research, there is an increasing need for physiological stable in vivo murine models. Of special importance is support and control of ventilation by artificial respiration, which is difficult to execute as a consequence of the small size of the animal and the technically demanding breathing pattern. In addition, numerous genetically altered mice show depressed spontaneous ventilation or impaired respiratory responses. After an introduction in murine respiratory physiology we describe options for ventilatory support, its monitoring and the potential side effects. This review will provide an overview on current possibilities in the field of airway support in mouse research.

Rapid Onset of Specific Diaphragm Weakness in a Healthy Murine Model of Ventilator-induced Diaphragmatic Dysfunction

“…Physiologic values of PaCO 2 in mice have been reported to be as low as 33 mmHg. 31 In addition, because severe hypercapnia, rather than hypocapnia, is associated with diaphragmatic fatigue and weakness, the small variations in PaCO 2 observed in our study cannot plausibly explain the large reductions of diaphragmatic force production found in the MV group. 32 Third, despite careful airway pressure curve monitoring to detect any spontaneous inspiratory effort, some nondetectable diaphragmatic contractions may have occurred.…”

Mechanical ventilation using non-injurious ventilation settings causes lung injury in the absence of pre-existing lung injury in healthy mice

“…It has been suggested that mice have a considerably lower alveolar and arterial PCO 2 than other mammals (PaCO 2 ranging from 33 to 41 mmHg). However, instrumentation of animals cannot be completely excluded as causative [ 33 ]. Here we show normal values for pH and PaCO 2 in C57BL/6 mice and BALB/c mice after brief anaesthesia.…”

Phenotyping Cardiac Gene Therapy in Mice

“…Connect the anesthesia supply tube from the nose cone to the intake tubing on the mouse ventilator and set the oxygen flow rate to 0.2–0.3 L/min. Ventilate the mouse with a tidal volume of 8–10 μL/g bodyweight at a respiratory rate of ∼200 respirations per minute (22) (Fig. 2a).…”