此代謝監測系統是測量實驗室動物氧氣消耗量和產生二氧化碳量的理想工具,采用斷路熱量測量技術,非常靈活,動物的大小是非實質性的. The data can be analyzed by the statistical packages.
The system comes with windows based software.
Up to eight animal cages can be monitored simultaneously. An animal
is placed in the cage and the lid is lightly shut to provide a partial seal.
Ambient air is pumped through the cage. The amount of air entering
the cage is precisely measured by a mass flow meter (STP 0oC and
760 mmHg), and is traceable to the National Bureau of Standards.
Most of the exhaust air goes to the atmosphere. A small sample of the
exhaust is monitored for O2 and CO2 content by zirconia and infrared
sensors. Both sensors are very accurate and maintenance free. Unlike
electrochemical cells, zirconia cells provide higher accuracy and do
not have to be replaced.
The system described above generates small positive pressures within
the animal cages and is generally known as a positive pressure system.
For some experiments, a negative pressure system is more
appropriate. Both systems are offered.
O2 consumption and CO2 production are calculated on the basis of
known gas fractions both at the input and the exhaust ports of the
cage and with the amount of air flowing through the cage.