In Vivo Measures of Colonic Motility

Mice were individually housed in clean, empty cages and fecal output was monitored for 1 h beginning at Zeitgeber time + 3 for 5 consecutive days. Mice were acclimatized over the first 2 days and data was recorded over the last 3 days. Pellets were collected as soon as they were produced and counted and weighed to obtain a wet weight. Pellets were then dried overnight to determine dry weight.

Individually housed animals were fasted overnight and lightly anesthetized with isoflurane. A 2 mm bead was inserted 2 cm into the colon and the time to expulsion recorded.