DS DXL-10 Stainless Steel Rat Metabolic Cage

Overview

The DS DXL-10 Stainless Steel Rat Metabolic Cage is an engineered solution for longitudinal, non-invasive metabolic monitoring in preclinical rodent studies. Designed according to established principles of metabolic housing—namely gravity-assisted gravitational separation and physical compartmentalization—the system enables reliable 24–48 hour collection of urine and feces from individual rats without cross-contamination. Each cage integrates a precision-machined funnel base and angled floor geometry to direct urine through dedicated drainage channels into external collection vessels, while solid waste remains retained on the elevated mesh floor. This architecture adheres to widely accepted design criteria for metabolic cages referenced in OECD Test Guidelines 407, 408, and 422, as well as NIH Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare (OLAW) recommendations for humane experimental housing. Constructed entirely from electropolished AISI 304 stainless steel, the DXL-10 resists corrosion from acidic urine, enzymatic residues, and repeated autoclaving or chemical disinfection—ensuring structural integrity and analytical consistency across multiple study cycles.

Key Features

• 10-position modular configuration with independent, identically dimensioned cages (250 × 200 × 200 mm) supporting standardized inter-cage comparability
• Gravity-driven dual-path collection: urine flows via calibrated sloped channels into sterile, removable polypropylene or glass collection bottles; feces remain isolated on perforated 304 stainless steel mesh floor (0.5 mm aperture)
• Full AISI 304 stainless steel construction—including cage bodies, support frame, feeding hoppers, and drinking bottles—meets ISO 8573-1 purity class requirements for cleanroom-compatible animal housing
• Integrated mobility: heavy-duty stainless steel frame fitted with four 75 mm locking casters (two with brakes) facilitates repositioning within vivarium corridors or between procedure rooms
• Modular accessory set includes one complete kit per cage: stainless steel drinking bottle with silicone gasket seal, feed hopper with anti-spill lip, and shallow collection tray for secondary containment
• No electrical components or active cooling—designed for ambient-temperature operation compliant with IACUC-defined thermoneutral zone guidelines for Sprague-Dawley and Wistar rats (22–24°C)

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The DXL-10 is validated for use with adult male and female rats (typically 200–500 g), including common strains such as Sprague-Dawley, Wistar, and Long-Evans. Cage dimensions and floor mesh spacing conform to AVMA and FELASA recommendations for minimizing pododermatitis and promoting natural ambulation. Urine collection efficiency exceeds 92% under controlled humidity conditions (40–60% RH), as verified by gravimetric validation protocols. The system supports integration with downstream analytical workflows including LC-MS metabolomics, ELISA cytokine profiling, and clinical chemistry assays (e.g., creatinine, urea nitrogen, electrolytes). All materials comply with USP Class VI biocompatibility standards and are free of leachable plasticizers, phthalates, or BPA—critical for endocrine disruption studies. Documentation packages include material traceability certificates (MTRs) for all stainless steel components and RoHS/REACH declarations.

Software & Data Management

The DXL-10 operates as a hardware-only platform with no embedded electronics or proprietary software. This design eliminates firmware dependencies, cybersecurity vulnerabilities, and vendor lock-in—aligning with GLP-compliant infrastructure where manual data entry and paper-based chain-of-custody logs remain standard practice. Researchers integrate the system seamlessly into existing LIMS or electronic lab notebook (ELN) environments using standardized metadata templates (e.g., ISA-Tab format) for sample annotation. Each cage position is labeled with laser-etched alphanumeric identifiers compatible with barcode scanning systems. For longitudinal studies requiring audit trails, the cage’s mechanical simplicity ensures full traceability: every component bears batch-number engraving, and accessory kits are serialized per installation. No FDA 21 CFR Part 11 electronic signature functionality is provided—or required—as all collected samples are physically handled and documented offline per institutional SOPs.

Applications

• Chronic toxicity and repeat-dose pharmacokinetic studies (OECD 408, ICH S5)
• Nephrotoxicity assessment via urinary biomarkers (KIM-1, NGAL, albumin-to-creatinine ratio)
• Metabolic phenotyping in diet-induced obesity (DIO) and diabetic models (ZDF, db/db)
• Pharmacodynamic evaluation of diuretics, renin-angiotensin system inhibitors, and SGLT2 inhibitors
• Microbiome–host interaction research requiring sterile, anaerobic-compatible fecal collection
• Regulatory submission support for IND and NDA dossiers where raw material compliance and housing consistency are auditable elements

FAQ

What rat strains and weight ranges are compatible with the DXL-10?
The cage accommodates Sprague-Dawley, Wistar, Fisher 344, and Long-Evans rats weighing 200–500 g. Minimum floor area (250 × 200 mm) satisfies FELASA space allowance guidelines for single-housed adult rats.
Can the DXL-10 be autoclaved or sterilized using vaporized hydrogen peroxide (VHP)?
Yes. All 304 stainless steel components withstand standard autoclave cycles (121°C, 15 psi, 30 min) and VHP decontamination protocols without dimensional drift or surface passivation loss.
Is urine-feces cross-contamination possible during extended 48-hour collections?
No. Independent validation per ASTM E2915-13 confirms ≤0.3% fecal particulate carryover into urine fractions when cages are maintained at recommended ambient humidity (40–60%) and cleaned per SOP prior to use.
Does the system include provisions for food and water intake monitoring?
The DXL-10 provides mechanical mounting points for third-party load-cell-based food/water consumption modules (e.g., Promethion, Tecniplast GR-1000), but does not ship with integrated sensors.
Are replacement parts—such as mesh floors or collection funnels—available separately?
Yes. DS supplies certified replacement kits (Part #DXL-10-MESH-KIT and #DXL-10-FUNNEL-KIT) with full material certification and dimensional QA reports traceable to ISO/IEC 17025-accredited testing.