Metabolic cage analysis

Measurements of food and water intake and O2 consumption / CO2 production is performed non-invasively using an automatic feeding monitoring system coupled to an open-circuit indirect calorimetry system (TSE Phenomaster System). In addition, via infrared light-beam frames detailed measurements of spontaneous home cage activity can be obtained. Mice are single housed in regular type III cages; food and water are available ad libitum and intake can be constantly monitored. Food intake was not altered between the two lines (data not shown). Each cage is connected to the fresh air supply as well as the sample switch unit for drawing air samples from each cage. Cages (n = 12) are enclosed in a ventilated cabinet (TSE Systems) to precisely control ambient temperature and light intensity.