High-throughput multiple-mouse imaging with micro-PET/CT for whole-skeleton assessment.

Area of Science:

• * Preclinical Imaging
• * Skeletal Physiology
• * High-Throughput Screening

Background:

• * Comprehensive physiological understanding requires skeleton-wide functional assessment.
• * Current regional imaging methods using multiple-animal holders (mouse hotels) limit whole-skeleton evaluation.
• * There is a need for efficient, high-throughput whole-skeleton assessment techniques.

Purpose of the Study:

• * To develop and characterize a multiple-mouse imaging system using micro-Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography (micro-PET/CT).
• * To enable high-throughput, whole-skeleton assessment in mice.
• * To evaluate the quantitative equivalence and efficiency of a novel multi-mouse holder compared to single-mouse holders.

Main Methods:

• * Construction of a simple, four-mouse capacity holder (mouse hotel) with integrated gas anesthesia.
• * Phantom studies to assess uniformity and flatness across the imaging field.
• * In vivo micro-PET/CT scans of 14 mice using both single-mouse holders and the developed mouse hotel.
• * Measurement of Sodium Fluoride (NaF) uptake at eight skeletal sites.

Main Results:

• * Skeletal (18)F activities measured with the mouse hotel were quantitatively similar (within 1.6 ± 4% of single-holder values).
• * The mouse hotel reduced study time by 65% and decreased the number of scans four-fold.
• * Cost, computer storage space (40% reduction), and radioisotope (18F) usage were optimized.
• * Single-holder scanning offered slightly better uniformity and flatness.

Conclusions:

• * The developed mouse hotel provides a high-throughput, quantitatively equivalent method for micro-PET/CT whole-skeleton assessment in mice.
• * This system significantly improves efficiency and reduces resource utilization compared to traditional single-mouse holder techniques.
• * The mouse hotel is a valuable tool for preclinical skeletal research requiring comprehensive analysis.