The primary goals and function of the MNORC Animal Phenotyping Core are to provide expert consultation, state-of-the art equipment and technical services that are critical for the detailed metabolic phenotyping of rodent models of diabetes and obesity. A thorough understanding of the physiological responses to nutrients and environmental factors and of the pathophysiological mechanisms that contribute to diabetes and related metabolic diseases is required if we are to effectively combat these conditions. However, the resources and technology necessary to phenotypically probe whole animal models of altered glucose homeostasis and metabolism at a level that reveals basic underlying mechanisms of control are not available in most investigators' laboratories. The Animal Phenotyping Core meets these needs through a comprehensive, convenient and cost-effective menu of platforms that includes: a) Glucose homeostasis and metabolic clamps. The Core performs hyperinsulinemic/ euglycemic clamp studies including specialized analysis of metabolite storage and release in rats and mice. b) Whole animal metabolic assessment. The CLAMS apparatus and other systems are used to examine metabolic rate, respiratory quotient, food consumption, and locomotor activity in rodent models. c) Body composition measurement by NMR. d) Radiotelemetric monitoring. Systems are in place for remote, chronic monitoring of cardiovascular parameters and core body temperature in rats and diurnal running wheel behavior in mice. e) Ingestive behavior. Meal microstructure and reinforcing properties of dietary constituents are measured in either home-cage or operant-conditioning paradigms. f) Automated blood/body fluids sampling and infusion utilizing a Culex/Empis system to remotely collect serial samples and infuse substances to freely behaving, unstressed rodents. g) In vivo optogenetics combined with the analysis of a wide range of behavioral outputs. Altogether, the Animal Phenotyping Core provides consultation and advice on experimental design, reliable data from a range of validated assays and essential data analysis relevant to the needs of multiple investigators in the MNORC.
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