How do you give rats inhalations? - briefly
Use a calibrated nose‑only exposure device or a sealed whole‑body chamber to deliver a controlled aerosol, setting flow at approximately 1 L/min and adjusting exposure time (typically 5–30 minutes) to achieve the desired dose. Ensure the rats are gently restrained, monitor respiration continuously, and verify aerosol concentration to maintain consistent delivery.
How do you give rats inhalations? - in detail
Administering inhalation therapy to laboratory rats requires a controlled environment, precise dosing, and equipment that ensures reproducible exposure. The procedure can be divided into preparation, apparatus setup, exposure, and post‑exposure care.
Preparation
- Select healthy adult rats of the appropriate strain and weight range.
- Acclimate animals to the exposure chamber for at least 30 minutes on the day before the experiment.
- Prepare the aerosol or vapor solution using sterile, pharmaceutical‑grade reagents. Verify concentration with a calibrated spectrophotometer or gas‑chromatograph.
- Record the target dose in milligrams per kilogram of body weight and calculate the required volume of nebulized solution.
Apparatus
- Use a whole‑body inhalation chamber made of clear polycarbonate, equipped with inlet and outlet ports, a humidifier, and a temperature controller set to 22 ± 2 °C.
- Connect a calibrated ultrasonic or jet nebulizer to the inlet port; ensure a particle size distribution of 1–5 µm for optimal pulmonary deposition.
- Install a flowmeter to maintain a constant airflow of 1–2 L/min, providing a slight positive pressure to prevent leaks.
- Attach an inline filter to the exhaust to capture residual aerosol and protect laboratory ventilation.
Exposure
- Place the predetermined number of rats in the chamber, allowing free movement on a non‑slippery platform.
- Start the nebulizer, confirming aerosol generation with a light scattering sensor.
- Monitor chamber concentration continuously; adjust nebulizer output to keep the exposure level within ±5 % of the target.
- Maintain exposure for the calculated duration, typically 10–30 minutes, depending on the dose and pharmacokinetics of the agent.
- Record temperature, humidity, and airflow at five‑minute intervals.
Post‑exposure care
- Transfer rats to a clean recovery cage with fresh bedding and provide ad libitum access to food and water.
- Observe animals for at least 60 minutes for signs of distress, respiratory difficulty, or abnormal behavior.
- Document body weight, respiratory rate, and any clinical observations.
- Dispose of used aerosol solution and decontaminate the chamber according to institutional biosafety guidelines.
Quality control
- Perform a blank run with saline to verify baseline aerosol levels.
- Conduct periodic calibration of the nebulizer and flowmeter using standard reference gases.
- Keep a detailed log of all equipment settings, solution preparations, and animal identifiers for reproducibility.
Following this protocol ensures precise delivery of inhaled agents to rats, minimizes variability, and complies with ethical standards for animal research.