There are many difficulties on technique to record the respiratory movement in mice. Therefore, several fundamental studies must be devoted for establishment of the pertinent procedure.
In the present report, several methods for computing the respiratory rate were compared. The materials for computation of the rate are the electromyogram of the diaphragm induced by a coaxial needle electrode, the pneumotachogram electrically recorded by a tracheal cannula or by a glass-mask.
In comparison of the results so far obtained the application of the glass mask, as shown in Fig. 7, has been recognized as the most excellent pick-up for the pulmonary ventilation of the mouse. When the mask was used, the pneumotachogram was demonstrated as a beautiful continuous waves, regardless of anesthetization, in all cases.
It is presumed that quantative analysis of the respiratory movement may be possible, although the record was used only for calculation of the respiratoy rate at the present time.
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