title: Spontaneous running in wheels. A microprocessor assisted method for measuring physiological parameters during exercise in rodents.
abstract: When examining physiological parameters during exercise in rodents most techniques use forced exercise on treadmills or forced swimming which undoubtedly will employ stress to the animals. This paper describes a convenient method to measure physiological parameters during spontaneous exercise in rodents. Hamsters and rats develop a spontaneous running pattern in wheels. The hamsters are reaching maximal activity almost immediately. In contrast, rats increase their running activity with time and need about 4 weeks to reach an average of about 7 km/day. The amount of running is measured by a microprocessor system. With this technique pain threshold, blood pressure and heart rate for example could be measured for extended periods of time, without changing the environment of the animals.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D006224:Cricetinae; D006439:Hemodynamics; D008297:Male; D008722:Methods; D008838:Microcomputers; D010146:Pain / Q000503:physiopathology; D005082:Physical Exertion; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D011957:Receptors, Opioid / Q000502:physiology; D012107:Research Design; D012420:Running; D012684:Sensory Thresholds / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D011957:Receptors, Opioid