TSE PhenoMaster-R/M Metabolic Phenotyping Caging System for Rodents

Overview

The TSE PhenoMaster-R/M Metabolic Phenotyping Caging System is a modular, fully automated platform engineered for longitudinal, non-invasive assessment of energy metabolism and behavioral physiology in laboratory rodents. Built upon the principles of indirect calorimetry—measuring real-time O₂ consumption (VO₂) and CO₂ production (VCO₂) via gas exchange analysis—the system calculates respiratory exchange ratio (RER), energy expenditure (kcal/h), and substrate utilization patterns. Integrated with synchronized behavioral monitoring, it enables simultaneous quantification of spontaneous locomotor activity (horizontal/vertical movement), feeding and drinking microstructure (bout frequency, duration, latency), voluntary wheel running (speed-controlled, bidirectional, timestamped), and excretory output (urine/feces mass, timing, separation fidelity). All measurements are conducted under standardized, environmentally controlled housing conditions that preserve natural circadian rhythms and minimize experimenter-induced stress artifacts—critical for reproducible metabolic phenotyping in genetically modified, diet-induced, or pharmacologically challenged models.

Key Features

• Modular cage architecture supporting interchangeable functional units: CaloCage (sealed, thermally insulated for direct calorimetry integration), PhenoCage (standard metabolic cage with dual-compartment waste separation), and ActivityCage (3D optical beam array for XYZ motion tracking)
• High-precision load cells (±0.01 g resolution) beneath urine and feces collection funnels enabling time-stamped, mass-based quantification of excretion events with <100 ms temporal resolution
• Dual-channel peristaltic fluid dispensers with gravimetric feedback for precise, programmable water/food delivery—up to six independent dosing points per cage
• Configurable infrared beam grid (16×16 or 32×32) mounted on cage platforms for detection of ambulation, rearing, and fine motor transitions without physical contact
• Software-synchronized treadmill and voluntary wheel modules with torque sensing, RPM control, and directional rotation logging
• Robust mechanical design compliant with IACUC housing standards; all cage components are autoclavable or compatible with validated disinfection protocols (e.g., 70% ethanol, hydrogen peroxide vapor)

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The PhenoMaster-R/M accommodates both mice (C57BL/6, BALB/c, DBA/2, etc.) and rats (Sprague-Dawley, Wistar, Zucker diabetic fatty) across standard weight ranges (15–600 g). Each cage maintains ISO 554 ambient humidity (40–60% RH) and temperature stability (±0.5°C) via integrated environmental control interfaces. The system adheres to ASTM E2982-14 (Standard Guide for Metabolic Phenotyping in Rodents) and supports experimental workflows aligned with NIH OD Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals. Data acquisition meets ALAC and AAALAC International requirements for traceability, with full metadata tagging (cage ID, animal ID, protocol version, operator login, calibration timestamps). Raw sensor streams are stored in immutable binary format with cryptographic hashing for audit integrity.

Software & Data Management

PhenoMaster/LabMaster software (v5.4+) provides unified control of hardware modules, experiment scheduling, and multi-level data processing. It features a hierarchical project structure with customizable metadata fields (genotype, treatment group, diet composition, light/dark cycle phase). Real-time visualization includes synchronized waveform overlays (VO₂, VCO₂, activity counts, feeding bouts), RER heatmaps across circadian bins, and cumulative excretion curves. Export functions support statistical downstream analysis: time-series CSV (with ISO 8601 timestamps), HDF5 containers with embedded units and uncertainty metadata, and MATLAB .mat files preserving signal sampling rates and channel associations. The software includes built-in FDA 21 CFR Part 11 compliance tools—electronic signatures, audit trail logs (user actions, parameter changes, data exports), and role-based permissions (admin, operator, analyst, reviewer).

Applications

• Longitudinal metabolic phenotyping of transgenic/knockout mouse models (e.g., leptin receptor deficiency, PPARγ modulation)
• Preclinical evaluation of anti-obesity therapeutics: dose-response effects on energy expenditure, macronutrient partitioning, and feeding behavior microstructure
• Circadian disruption studies: assessment of misaligned RER rhythms, activity onset delays, and nocturnal hyperphagia in shift-work or jet-lag paradigms
• Nephrotoxicity and diuretic screening: high-temporal-resolution urine output kinetics coupled with voluntary water intake patterns
• Neurobehavioral-metabolic coupling: correlation of anxiety-like rearing behavior with post-prandial RER shifts in chronic stress models
• Gut-microbiome interventions: fecal output mass dynamics paired with dietary intake and activity profiles during probiotic or antibiotic regimens

FAQ

What is the maximum number of animals the PhenoMaster-R/M system can monitor concurrently?
Up to 64 individually housed rodents across eight independent rack-mounted modules (eight cages per module), each operating with full sensor autonomy and synchronized timebase.
Does the system support both forced and voluntary exercise paradigms?
Yes—integrated motorized treadmill units allow speed- and duration-controlled forced exercise, while freely rotating wheels with optical RPM counters capture voluntary running behavior with start/stop event logging.
How is urine and feces separation achieved, and what is the accuracy of mass measurement?
A precision-machined stainless-steel funnel directs urine into a conical collector and feces onto a perforated mesh platform above a secondary weigh pan; dual 0.01 g resolution load cells record mass changes independently with sub-second temporal resolution.
Can raw sensor data be exported for custom algorithm development?
Yes—HDF5 exports include calibrated analog channels (O₂/CO₂ concentrations, beam break timestamps, load cell voltages), sampling rates, unit definitions, and calibration coefficients required for third-party signal processing.
Is the system compatible with existing vivarium HVAC and alarm infrastructure?
The PhenoMaster-R/M supports Modbus TCP and BACnet/IP protocols for integration with building management systems, enabling real-time alerts for temperature excursions, airflow deviations, or power loss events.