Calorimetry (energy expenditure) includes measurements of body composition, VO2, VCO2, RQ, food and water intake, and physical activity.

Measurements of energy homeostasis:
We use Oxymax Lab Animal Monitoring System (CLAMS) (Columbus Instruments, Columbus OH) to simultaneously measure rodent’s total energy expenditure, food and water intake, and physical activity.  The main feature of the system is indirect open-circuit calorimetry.  The experimental animals, up to eight mice at a time, will be placed in a specially designed cage, which measures a number of biological variables including oxygen consumption, CO2 production, respiratory quotient, and heat production.  The system also allows connection to additional equipment including an activity monitor and water/food monitors.  Each animal will be temporarily housed in the specially designed chamber (i.e. cage) that contains inlet and outlet ports through which a known flow of ambient air is being forcibly ventilated.  Animals will eat pulverized food from the feeder and drink water from a sipper tube.

We measure:
a) Total energy expenditure
Total caloric expenditure will be estimated by monitoring the rate of oxygen consumption and carbon dioxide production of the animals.

b) Locomotors activity
The locomotors activity will be determined by monitoring the number of infrared beam breaks associated with animal’s movement.

c) Food and water consumption
We will measure the mass of food removed from a container that resides on a precision balance and the volume of water consumed from a sipper tube connected with the chamber.

*For Calorimetry services there will be an additional Data Summary/Interpretation charge per set (up to 8 mice per set).