Body Composition Analysis
Body composition can be measured using Minispec Model LF90 II (6.5 mHz) manufactured by Bruker Instruments. The Minispec does not require that mice are anesthetized or sacrificed. The Minispec LF90 II Analyzer is based on Time Domain NMR technology. It acquires and analyzes TD-NMR signals from all protons in the entire sample volume and can provide three components of interest: fat, free body fluid and lean tissue values. The NMR technology allows:
- Rapid analysis: measurement takes less than 3 minutes;
- Measurements of animals up to ~ 800g;
- Analysis with reduced animal stress: no need for anesthetics;
- Repetitive testing because of negligible risk to animal health;
- Better accuracy and precision of measurements when compared to the DEXA (X-ray) method.