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Updated: Jun 8, 2026
Dry Powder and Nebulized Aerosol Inhalation of Pharmaceuticals Delivered to Mice Using a Nose-only Exposure System
Published on: April 6, 2017
Inhaled aerosol particle dosimetry in mice: a review
Loyda B Méndez1, Glenn Gookin, Robert F Phalen
1Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, School of Biological Sciences, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697-4028, USA. mendezl@uci.edu
Abstract:
The availability of molecular and genetic tools has made the mouse the most common animal model for a variety of human diseases in toxicology studies. However, little is known about the factors that will influence the dose delivery to murine lungs during an inhalation study. Among these factors are the respiratory tract anatomy, lung physiology, and clearance characteristics. Therefore, the objective of this paper is to briefly review the current knowledge on the aforementioned factors in mice and their implications to the dose delivered to mouse models during inhalation studies. Representative scientific publications were chosen from searches using the NCBI PubMed and ISI Web of Knowledge databases. Relevant respiratory physiological differences have been widely reported for different mouse strains and sexes. The limited data on anatomical morphometry that is available for the murine respiratory tract indicates significant differences between mouse strains. These differences have implications to the dose delivered and the biological outcomes of inhalation studies.
Insights
Understanding factors influencing dose delivery in mouse lungs is crucial for toxicology studies. Respiratory anatomy and physiology vary significantly between mouse strains, impacting study outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Toxicology
- Comparative Physiology
- Animal Models
Background:
- Mice are widely used in toxicology due to genetic and molecular tools.
- Factors influencing dose delivery to murine lungs in inhalation studies are not well understood.
- Key factors include respiratory tract anatomy, lung physiology, and clearance characteristics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review current knowledge on factors affecting dose delivery to mouse lungs during inhalation studies.
- To discuss the implications of these factors on toxicological outcomes.
Main Methods:
- Literature search of scientific publications using NCBI PubMed and ISI Web of Knowledge.
- Review of existing data on murine respiratory tract anatomy, lung physiology, and clearance.
Main Results:
- Significant differences in respiratory physiology exist across mouse strains and sexes.
- Limited available data indicate substantial anatomical morphometry variations between mouse strains.
- These physiological and anatomical differences impact dose delivery and biological outcomes.
Conclusions:
- Variations in mouse respiratory system anatomy and physiology are critical considerations in inhalation toxicology.
- Understanding these differences is essential for accurate interpretation of toxicological data from mouse models.
- Further research into murine respiratory tract morphometry and physiology is warranted for improved inhalation study design.
