Analysis of organ physiology in transgenic mice

Theincreasing availability of transgenic mouse models of gene deletion andhuman disease has mandated the development of creative approaches tocharacterize mouse phenotype. The mouse presents unique challenges tophenotype analysis because of its small size, habits, and inability toverbalize clinical symptoms. This review describes strategies to studymouse organ physiology, focusing on the cardiovascular, pulmonary,renal, gastrointestinal, and neurobehavioral systems. General concernsabout evaluating mouse phenotype studies are discussed. Monitoring andanesthesia methods are reviewed, with emphasis on the feasibility andlimitations of noninvasive and invasive procedures to monitorphysiological parameters, do cannulations, and perform surgicalprocedures. Examples of phenotype studies are cited to demonstrate thepractical applications and limitations of the measurement methods. Therepertoire of phenotype analysis methods reviewed here should be usefulto investigators involved in or contemplating the use of mouse models.