Re: Blood Pressure of Mice

On 2 Sep 2003 17:43:53 -0700, [EMAIL PROTECTED] (Alex) wrote:

>I'm doing a science fair project for my high school, and we're allowed
>to do some "clinical trials" on mice if we need to test an idea. Me
>and my partner wanted to know how it might be possible to get the
>blood pressure of a mouse. There has to be a way, right? any leads
>and/or help would be great
>-thanks
>Alex

I am surprised that you are allowed to do experiments with vertebrate
animals like this, especially with mammals.  The laws on animal
experimentation are usually quite rigid about demandiing proper care
and handling, housing and feeding, protocols for drug treatment, etc.

In any event, the standard way is to use a small pressure cuff that
goes around the base of the tail and then monitoring the pulse in
the artery in the tail just below the cuff.  It it just like taking
the pressure in your arm, except using muc smaller cuffs.

The problem is, not just getting the right equipment (there are
special cuffs and even automated electronic instruments to do just
that, but they tend to be quite expensive).  The technique is also a
bit tricky to learn.  Finally, there is the problem of handling the
mice without exciting them so that their blood pressure is changed.

Why don't you visit a local university with a department of physiology
or pharmacology and ask at the department office if anyone in the
department is doing that kind of thing.  I bet people in the lab would
be happy to show you.