Measurement of lung function in rodents in vivo

Abstract

Examination of pulmonary function is a nondestructive procedure of assessing the functional consequences of alterations of lung structure or (temporary) changes in the tonus of airway smooth muscle cells, providing information on the presence, the type, and the extent of alteration. The principles governing ventilation, air flow, lung volume, and gas exchange are common among most if not all mammals [3]. There is a considerable quantity of literature describing the methodology, physiological principles and typical values of lung function tests in man and experimental animals. Reviews of the methods used for rodents have been presented by Mauderly and Likens [10, 12], Costa and Tepper [3], and Murphy [13]. The tests used at present are the result or unique adaptations of clinical lung function tests to small animals.