CARDIOVASCULAR PHENOTYPING IN MICE

Progress in molecular genetics has changed cardiovascular research. Th e mouse has turned out to be an invaluable model for mammalian genetic modifications to mimic and analyse cardiovascular pathology. Through the introduction of transgene and gene targeting technology, regulator y systems can be studied at the molecular level. Recent technical deve lopments have down-sized the equipment for physiological measurements to the mouse level. Micro-surgery has developed to the level where mos t manipulations previously performed in larger animals can now be appl ied to mice. However, different investigators report considerable diff erences in values for physiological parameters. Whether these differen ces are related to the variation in mouse strains or experimental proc edures remains to be established, but awareness of the variation can b e relevant for prospective mouse investigators. In the present review, the physiological measurements performed in mice to date are discusse d and complemented with results from genetically manipulated animals. In addition the various surgical procedures and their practical applic ation are illustrated. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reser ved.