Metabolic Cage for Rats - Columbus Instruments

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The need for collection of urine from rats in prolonged experiments is well recognized. Until now, other metabolic cages for this purpose failed to deliver entire urine output to the collection vessel. The difficulty is in the evaporation of urine and wetting of the urine delivery surface. Columbus Instruments' mouse metabolic cages overcome these difficulties by collecting the urine via the steep angled surface of stainless steel funnel, which is covered with a special non-wetting material. Urine collection is also aided by eliminating food spillage through the use of our special feeders; there is no food on the floor to absorb urine. Dimensions for the metabolic cages are: 6" (15.24cm) (diameter) x 3 3/4" (9.5cm)(height).

The new metabolic cages for rats are offered in two versions:

The airtight rat metabolic cage (pictured here), which is equipped with special low-spill feeders and urine collection system, is able to be connected to the Oxymax VO2/VCO2 computer for oxygen consumption measurements. Drinking can be monitored by counting licks on the sipping tube. Feeders and urine collection system can be self-standing or positioned on a precision scale for computer monitoring of food consumption and urine excretion. Optional animal activity meters with IR beams crossing the cage allow monitoring animal movements within the cage both horizontal and vertical (rearing) directions.
Self-standing rat metabolic cage is not airtight and cannot be used for VO2/VCO2 measurements, but is equipped with the low-spill feeder and urine collection system. Similarly as in the air-tight cage, the feeder and urine collection vessel can be placed on the precision scales (10 mg resolution) for computer monitoring of food consumption and urine excretion. Rat drinking is/can be monitored by counting licks on the sipping tube.

These configurations are presently available for rats only.

Equations for Energy Expenditure

Features / Specifications

Cylindrical mouse cage with connectors for air delivery and sampling for VO2/VCO2 measurements
Animal activity sensor for vertical motion
Animal activity sensor for horizontal motion
Stainless steel funnel for directing urine to collection vessel
Vessel for urine collection
Scale for measuring urine (10 mg resolution) with computer interface
Scale for measuring food (10 mg resolution) with computer interface
Special feeders with tunnel access to minimize food spillage

Ordering Information

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