Musculoskeletal Physiology Core

Application of axial load to bones (current configurations for ulna and tibial loading) to stimulate new bone formation in anesthetized mice. Instrument: Bose electroforce 3200    

Time per bone, 20 mins per limb.  (consumables)

The EMKA ECG Tunnel enables electrocardiogram assessment in the awake, but restrained, mouse.

30 minutes, 2 mice

Quantify the gait kinematics as a measure of neuromuscular function in rodents. The DigiGait Gait Analysis System (Mouse Specifics, Inc.; Quincy, MA performs ventral plane videography of mice walking on a transparent treadmill belt. A high-speed, high-resolution digital video camera continuously images the underside of the walking mouse. Software generates digital paw prints and dynamic gait signals, providing a temporal record of paw placement. More than 20 gait indices are reported from the analyses that are related to specific functional gains or losses. 

(Hour and a half per 10 mice, includes analysis).

An indirect measure of the gross neuromuscular performance of the mouse forelimbs.  Effective at identifying dysfunction murine models of motor neuron and muscle disease.

1 min per mouse (minimum charge of half hour - 15 mouse)

 An indirect measure of gross neuromuscular performance of the mouse. Effective at identifying dysfunction murine models of motor neuron and muscle disease.

 5 mins per mouse (half hour minimum, 6 mice maximum)

(1) Investigation of rodent long-bone functional properties by four point bending, including whole-bone structural properties (femoral bending stiffness, maximum moment and failure moment) and bone tissue "material" properties (elastic modulus, yield strength, ultimate strength). (2) Investigation of biomechanical properties of materials under a variety of loading configurations in the axial plane, including custom testing fixtures and testing protocols.  Instrument: Bose electroforce 3200  

Per bone, 30 mins, 2 bones per hour (minimum 30 minutes)

Ex vivo quantification of rodent bone trabecular and cortical microarchitecture/morphology and bone tissue mineralization. Additionally,  scanning of soft tissues such as heart and cartilage can be done upon special sample preparation and staining with contrast agents. Instrument: Skyscan 1172 microCT.

Per hour. (4 hour increments per use)

30 minutes, 5 mice minimum

Analysis software for the quantitation of static and dynamic bone histomorphometry, including osteoblast number, osteoclast number, bone formation rates, mineralizing surface, and mineral apposition rate.

Per bone

Quantify forced exercise capacity on a motorized treadmill. Most rats and mice are amenable to this test with proper acclimation to the treadmill. We use a 6 lane rodent treadmill (Columbus Instruments).

per hour, up to 6 mice

Application of axial load to bones (current configurations for ulna and tibial loading) to stimulate new bone formation in anesthetized mice. Instrument: Bose electroforce 3200    

Time per bone, 20 mins per limb.  (consumables)

The EMKA ECG Tunnel enables electrocardiogram assessment in the awake, but restrained, mouse.

30 minutes, 2 mice

Quantify the gait kinematics as a measure of neuromuscular function in rodents. The DigiGait Gait Analysis System (Mouse Specifics, Inc.; Quincy, MA performs ventral plane videography of mice walking on a transparent treadmill belt. A high-speed, high-resolution digital video camera continuously images the underside of the walking mouse. Software generates digital paw prints and dynamic gait signals, providing a temporal record of paw placement. More than 20 gait indices are reported from the analyses that are related to specific functional gains or losses. 

(Hour and a half per 10 mice, includes analysis).

An indirect measure of the gross neuromuscular performance of the mouse forelimbs.  Effective at identifying dysfunction murine models of motor neuron and muscle disease.

1 min per mouse (minimum charge of half hour - 15 mouse)

 An indirect measure of gross neuromuscular performance of the mouse. Effective at identifying dysfunction murine models of motor neuron and muscle disease.

 5 mins per mouse (half hour minimum, 6 mice maximum)

(1) Investigation of rodent long-bone functional properties by four point bending, including whole-bone structural properties (femoral bending stiffness, maximum moment and failure moment) and bone tissue "material" properties (elastic modulus, yield strength, ultimate strength). (2) Investigation of biomechanical properties of materials under a variety of loading configurations in the axial plane, including custom testing fixtures and testing protocols.  Instrument: Bose electroforce 3200  

Per bone, 30 mins, 2 bones per hour (minimum 30 minutes)

Ex vivo quantification of rodent bone trabecular and cortical microarchitecture/morphology and bone tissue mineralization. Additionally,  scanning of soft tissues such as heart and cartilage can be done upon special sample preparation and staining with contrast agents. Instrument: Skyscan 1172 microCT.

Per hour. (4 hour increments per use)

30 minutes, 5 mice minimum

Analysis software for the quantitation of static and dynamic bone histomorphometry, including osteoblast number, osteoclast number, bone formation rates, mineralizing surface, and mineral apposition rate.

Per bone

Quantify forced exercise capacity on a motorized treadmill. Most rats and mice are amenable to this test with proper acclimation to the treadmill. We use a 6 lane rodent treadmill (Columbus Instruments).

per hour, up to 6 mice