You are here:
RADIOTELEMETRIC THERMOMETRY.
Citation:
GORDON, C. J. RADIOTELEMETRIC THERMOMETRY. Presented at 2nd Annual Physiology and Pharmacology of Temperature Regulation, Phoenix, AZ, March 03 - 06, 2006.
Description:
Radiotelemetry is revolutionizing the study of thermoregulation of rodents. Continuous monitoring of core temperature in rodents has been an essential methodology to unravel the mechanisms of thermoregulation. However, prior to the advent of radiotelemetry, the only way to monitor core temperature continuously in rodents was by; (i) attaching a probe or tether to the animal, (ii) repeated insertion of a colonic or rectal temperature probe, and/or (iii) by collecting temperature data in restrained subjects. These procedures provide accurate measurements of body temperature but also impart stress. Depending on ambient temperature, rodents respond to stress by becoming hyperthermic or hypothermic. Indeed, the simple presence of humans near the animal is sufficient to cause a prolonged elevation in temperature. When considering the myriad of rodent thermoregulatory studies over the past four decades, one cannot help but wonder how the stress from the thermometry technique interfered with the interpretation of the experimental test condition. For example, did the microinjection of a pharmacological agent into CNS thermoregulatory centers really cause a hypothermic response or did it block stress-induced hyperthermia? Radiotelemetric technology will eliminate most if not all of the problems of stress. Furthermore, radiotelemetry allows for the undisturbed monitoring of core temperature over days or weeks, if needed. Overall, telemetry is the most sensitive means of detecting both acute and chronic thermoregulatory effects for the lowest dose of a pharmacological or toxicological agent. This is an abstract of a proposed presentation and does not necessarily reflect EPA policy.