A radiotelemetry system for polysomnographic recordings in lambs.
The use of telemetry in biomedical research is rapidly increasing and is soon likely to be standard in research fields where prolonged recordings of multiple physiologic variables are necessary in freely moving animals. We describe our experience with a radiotelemetry system designed in our laboratory for polysomnographic recordings in newborn lambs. The system comprises eight channels: four channels for electromyographic activity of respiratory muscles, and one channel each for electrocorticogram, eye movement, electrocardiogram, and nasal flow. Using this system, we report our experience on the study of respiration and spontaneous apneas in the various states of consciousness, based on more than 500 h of recordings. Addition of radiotelemetry to our armamentarium has proven to be of invaluable help for the study of neonatal apneas and has now become routine in our laboratory.
Respiratory Research Unit, Department of Pediatrics and Physiology, Université de Sherbrooke, Québec, Canada J1H 5N4.
Patrick
P
Létourneau
Jean-Paul
JP
Praud
D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D004562:Electrocardiography / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D004569:Electroencephalography / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D004576:Electromyography / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D004594:Electrophysiology; D004867:Equipment Design; D017286:Polysomnography / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D012756:Sheep; D012891:Sleep Apnea Syndromes / Q000175:diagnosis*; D013686:Telemetry / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods