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Updated: Apr 23, 2026
Video Imaging and Spatiotemporal Maps to Analyze Gastrointestinal Motility in Mice
Published on: February 3, 2016
Quantitative in vivo analysis of small bowel motility using MRI examinations in mice--proof of concept study
S Bickelhaupt1, M C Wurnig2, M Lesurtel3
1Department of Radiology, University Hospital Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland Department of Radiology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.
Abstract:
Small bowel motility analyses using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) could reduce current invasive techniques in animal studies and comply with the 'three Rs' rule for human animal experimentation. Thus we investigated the feasibility of in vivo small bowel motility analyses in mice using dynamic MRI acquisitions. All experimental procedures were approved by the institutional animal care committee. Six C57BL/6 mice underwent MRI without additional preparation after isoflurane anaesthetization in the prone position on a 4.7 T small animal imager equipped with a linear polarized hydrogen birdcage whole-body mouse coil. Motility was assessed using a true fast imaging in a steady precession sequence in the coronal orientation (acquisition time per slice 512 ms, in-plane resolution 234 × 234 µm, matrix size 128 × 128, slice thickness 1 mm) over 30 s corresponding to 60 acquisitions. Motility was manually assessed measuring the small bowel diameter change over time. The resulting motility curves were analysed for the following parameters: contraction frequency per minute (cpm), maximal contraction amplitude (maximum to minimum [mm]), luminal diameter (mm) and luminal occlusion rate. Small bowel motility quantification was found to be possible in all animals with a mean small bowel contraction frequency of 10.67 cpm (SD ± 3.84), a mean amplitude of the contractions of 1.33 mm (SD ± 0.43) and a mean luminal diameter of 1.37 mm (SD ± 0.42). The mean luminal occlusion rate was 1.044 (SD ± 0.45%/100). The mean duration needed for a single motility assessment was 185 s (SD ± 54.02). Thus our study demonstrated the feasibility of an easy and time-sparing functional assessment for in vivo small bowel motility analyses in mice. This could improve the development of small animal models of intestinal diseases and provide a method similar to clinical MR examinations that is in concordance with the 'three Rs' for humane animal experimentation.
Insights
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) offers a non-invasive method for analyzing small bowel motility in mice, aligning with ethical animal research principles. This dynamic MRI technique provides a feasible and time-efficient approach for assessing gastrointestinal function in preclinical studies.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Imaging
- Gastroenterology
- Animal Research Models
Background:
- Current methods for analyzing small bowel motility in animal studies are often invasive.
- There is a need for non-invasive techniques that comply with the 'three Rs' (Replacement, Reduction, Refinement) of animal experimentation.
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) presents a potential non-invasive alternative for functional assessments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the feasibility of in vivo small bowel motility analysis in mice using dynamic MRI.
- To establish a non-invasive, time-efficient method for assessing gastrointestinal motility in a preclinical setting.
- To provide a method consistent with ethical animal research guidelines.
Main Methods:
- Dynamic MRI acquisitions were performed on six C57BL/6 mice using a 4.7 T small animal imager.
- A true fast imaging in a steady precession sequence was employed in the coronal orientation.
- Small bowel motility was assessed by measuring diameter changes over time, analyzing contraction frequency, amplitude, luminal diameter, and occlusion rate.
Main Results:
- Small bowel motility quantification was successfully achieved in all analyzed animals.
- Mean contraction frequency was 10.67 cpm, mean contraction amplitude was 1.33 mm, and mean luminal diameter was 1.37 mm.
- The study demonstrated a feasible, easy, and time-sparing functional assessment for in vivo small bowel motility.
Conclusions:
- Dynamic MRI is a feasible technique for non-invasive in vivo small bowel motility analysis in mice.
- This method can enhance the development of small animal models for intestinal diseases.
- The MRI approach aligns with the 'three Rs' for humane animal experimentation and clinical MR examinations.
