Sable Systems International Promethion Core Animal Metabolic Measurement System
| Origin | USA |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer Type | Authorized Distributor |
| Import Status | Imported |
| Model | Promethion Core |
| Price | Available Upon Request |
Overview
The Sable Systems International Promethion Core Animal Metabolic Measurement System is a modular, high-fidelity indirect calorimetry platform engineered for continuous, non-invasive, and long-term phenotyping of metabolic physiology in rodents and other small laboratory animals. It operates on the principle of open-circuit respirometry—measuring real-time changes in oxygen consumption (VO2) and carbon dioxide production (VCO2) via precision gas analyzers coupled with mass flow sensors—to derive energy expenditure, respiratory exchange ratio (RER), and substrate utilization kinetics. Unlike single-parameter monitoring tools, the Promethion Core integrates synchronized physiological, behavioral, and consummatory data streams within standardized metabolic cages, enabling researchers to correlate metabolic flux with spontaneous locomotor activity, feeding microstructure, and excretory output under controlled environmental conditions.
Key Features
- Simultaneous multi-parameter acquisition: VO2, VCO2, RER, heat production, ambient temperature, and cage air flow rate—all sampled at ≥1 Hz per chamber with <±0.5% full-scale accuracy.
- Non-invasive, automated behavioral tracking: Integrated load-cell arrays and infrared beam arrays quantify total movement, ambulatory distance, rearing events, and fine-grained feeding bouts without physical restraint or implanted telemetry.
- High-resolution intake/excretion monitoring: Food and water consumption measured to ±0.01 g/mL resolution; fecal pellet count and urinary volume quantified via gravimetric and capacitance-based detection modules.
- Modular scalability: Supports configurations from 4 to 96 independently controlled metabolic chambers, each with individual airflow regulation, gas sampling valves, and environmental feedback control (temperature/humidity optional).
- Robust architecture: All sensor electronics are housed externally to minimize thermal interference and electromagnetic noise; gas lines use electropolished stainless steel and PFA tubing compliant with ISO 8573-1 Class 1 purity standards.
Sample Compatibility & Compliance
The system is validated for use with mice (C57BL/6, BALB/c, db/db, ob/ob), rats (Sprague-Dawley, Wistar, Zucker), and other small mammals up to 500 g body weight. Cage dimensions and airflow profiles conform to NIH Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals and AAALAC International recommendations for ventilation and animal welfare. Data acquisition workflows support audit-ready compliance with GLP and GCP frameworks; raw time-series files include embedded metadata (operator ID, protocol version, calibration timestamps) required for FDA 21 CFR Part 11–compliant environments when paired with Sable’s optional eLogbook module.
Software & Data Management
Data acquisition and analysis are managed through ExpeData v6.2 software, a Windows-based application certified for scientific computing under IEC 62304 Class B. The software provides real-time visualization of all parameters, automated calculation of derived metrics (e.g., resting metabolic rate, circadian amplitude, meal frequency), and batch processing across multi-day studies. Export formats include CSV, HDF5, and MATLAB .mat—enabling integration with Python-based analysis pipelines (e.g., SciPy, Pandas) and third-party statistical platforms (R, GraphPad Prism). All raw sensor logs retain millisecond-level timestamping and are stored with SHA-256 checksums to ensure data integrity and traceability.
Applications
- Preclinical evaluation of metabolic disease models (obesity, diabetes, cachexia)
- Pharmacodynamic assessment of anti-obesity therapeutics and mitochondrial modulators
- Circadian rhythm studies linking feeding behavior, activity onset, and metabolic flexibility
- Nutritional interventions: macronutrient-specific energy partitioning and diet-induced thermogenesis
- Toxicology endpoints: chronic exposure effects on basal metabolism and stress-induced hypermetabolism
- Genetic screening: high-throughput phenotyping of knockout/knockin mouse cohorts under standardized metabolic challenge protocols (e.g., fasting-refeeding, cold exposure)
FAQ
What is the minimum recommended cage occupancy for accurate VO2 measurement?
For mice, a single animal per cage is standard; group housing is not supported due to signal crosstalk in gas exchange and activity detection.
Can the system be integrated with existing environmental control cabinets?
Yes—the Promethion Core supports analog and digital I/O interfaces (0–10 V, RS-485, Ethernet/IP) for bidirectional communication with commercial incubators and climate chambers.
Is calibration traceable to NIST standards?
All gas analyzers ship with factory calibration certificates traceable to NIST Standard Reference Materials (SRMs 1675a, 1676b); field recalibration kits and procedures are included with annual service contracts.
How is data security handled during remote monitoring?
ExpeData supports TLS 1.2+ encrypted connections; local storage uses AES-256 encryption, and role-based access control (RBAC) is configurable per user group.
Does the system meet ISO/IEC 17025 requirements for accredited testing laboratories?
While the instrument itself is not ISO/IEC 17025 certified, its metrological performance, calibration documentation, and uncertainty budgets fully satisfy Clause 5.5.2 (Equipment) and Clause 5.9 (Traceability) when operated per Sable’s validated SOPs.
