Rh. Brown et al., A method of endotracheal intubation and pulmonary functional assessment for repeated studies in mice, J APP PHYSL, 87(6), 1999, pp. 2362-2365
The ability to successfully intubate the trachea of mice and control their
ventilation is important for longitudinal studies requiring recovery from a
nesthesia and repeated pulmonary function measurements or other evaluations
, such as the use of radiological imaging (e.g., computed tomography or mag
netic resonance imaging). We describe a method for rapid and repeated intub
ation of mice, with subsequent pulmonary function measurements at baseline
and after an agonist challenge. We describe a simply constructed metal blad
e used as a laryngoscope to facilitate oropharyngeal exposure, transillumin
ation of the neck to facilitate visualization of the trachea through the or
opharynx, readily available polyethylene tubing to intubate the trachea, an
d a simple solenoid ventilator to maintain physiological ventilation and as
sess respiratory resistance and compliance Brief infusions of acetylcholine
through a needle into the jugular vein are used to assess the responsivene
ss of the airway smooth muscle.