Preparation and Monitoring of Small Animals in Renal MRI

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Veterinary Medicine
• Radiology

Background:

• Renal diseases cause significant global mortality and morbidity.
• Animal models are vital for understanding kidney disease mechanisms and developing therapies.
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is increasingly used to assess kidney function, perfusion, oxygenation, fibrosis, and inflammation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide an overview of preparing and monitoring small animals for surgical interventions and MR imaging.
• To highlight the importance of standardizing experimental conditions for ethical and reproducible research.
• To support the COST Action PARENCHIMA's goal of improving renal MRI biomarker standardization.

Main Methods:

• Review of established protocols for small animal preparation and monitoring.
• Emphasis on critical parameters: body temperature, hydration, pain management, and distress minimization.
• Integration of these practices within the context of MR imaging procedures.

Main Results:

• Standardized protocols are essential for reducing non-experimental variables in animal studies.
• Consistent animal preparation enhances the reliability and reproducibility of research findings.
• Ethical considerations are paramount in animal research, ensuring minimal pain and distress.

Conclusions:

• Implementing standardized preparation and monitoring protocols is key to advancing renal disease research.
• Reproducible and ethical animal research using MRI is achievable through careful standardization.
• This work contributes to the broader goal of establishing robust renal MRI biomarkers.