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Implantation of Radiotelemetry Transmitters Yielding Data on ECG, Heart Rate, Core Body Temperature and Activity in Free-moving Laboratory Mice
Published on: November 21, 2011
Intraperitoneal transmitters in suckling white-footed mice, Peromyscus leucopus
Biotelemetry and Patient Monitoring
|January 1, 1980
Summary
Intraperitoneal transmitter implantation in young white-footed mice (Peromyscus leucopus) is feasible. Successful surgery requires specific developmental milestones, ensuring minimal impact on growth and mobility for radio-tracking studies.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Surgery
- Animal Ecology
- Wildlife Biology
Background:
- Radio-tracking small mammals requires minimally invasive techniques.
- Suckling Peromyscus leucopus present unique surgical challenges due to their size and developmental stage.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the feasibility and impact of intraperitoneal transmitter implantation in suckling white-footed mice.
- To determine optimal surgical timing based on postnatal development.
Main Methods:
- Surgical implantation of transmitters into suckling Peromyscus leucopus (age 9-16 days).
- Monitoring of growth rates, weight changes, and physical condition post-surgery.
- Comparison of growth rates between implanted and control mice.
Main Results:
- Successful implantation was achieved when surgery was delayed until venter pelage developed and eyes opened.
- Implanted mice experienced short-term weight loss but recouped it before weaning.
- No impairment in coordination or locomotion was observed.
Conclusions:
- Intraperitoneal transmitter implantation is a viable technique for radio-tracking Peromyscus leucopus.
- Optimal surgical timing is critical for minimizing physiological impact.
- This method has implications for small mammal ecological research.
