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Inter- and intrastrain variation in mouse critical running speed
Veronique L Billat1, Etienne Mouisel, Natacha Roblot
1Laboratory of Exercise Physiology, UFRSFA, Université d'Evry-Val d'Essonne Boulevard François Mitterrand, 94025 Evry Cedex France. veronique.billat@wanadoo.fr
Journal of Applied Physiology (Bethesda, Md. : 1985)
|November 16, 2004
Summary
Critical speed (CS) can be measured in mice to assess aerobic capacity. This noninvasive method helps in designing individualized exercise training for mouse models of human diseases.
Area of Science:
- Exercise Physiology
- Animal Models
- Cardiovascular Research
Background:
- Developing noninvasive methods to assess physiological responses to exercise in mouse models of human cardiovascular or neuromuscular disorders is crucial.
- Critical Speed (CS) is a measure of aerobic capacity that has been validated in humans and horses.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the feasibility of determining Critical Speed (CS) in mice.
- To investigate the influence of mouse strain and sex on CS determination.
- To compare CS with lactate threshold velocity as a measure of aerobic capacity in mice.
Main Methods:
- Sixty mice (CD1, C57BL/6J, FVB/N strains) performed four exhaustive treadmill runs to determine CS.
- Twenty-one mice underwent an incremental exercise test to determine lactate threshold velocity.
- Heritability of CS was assessed using two measures.
Main Results:
- CS varied significantly between mouse strains (P < 0.0001) but not between sexes.
- CS was found to be partially heritable.
- CS was not significantly different from lactate threshold velocity.
Conclusions:
- Critical Speed (CS) can be reliably determined in mice, reflecting aerobic capacity.
- CS offers a valuable, noninvasive tool for exercise physiology research in mouse models.
- Individualized physical training protocols for mice can be designed based on CS measurements.