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. 2015 Jun 15;308(12):F1369-78.
doi: 10.1152/ajprenal.00072.2015. Epub 2015 Apr 22.

Evaluation of voiding assays in mice: impact of genetic strains and sex

Dale E Bjorling  1 , Zunyi Wang  2 , Chad M Vezina  2 , William A Ricke  3 , Kimberly P Keil  4 , Weiqun Yu  5 , Lianyu Guo  5 , Mark L Zeidel  5 , Warren G Hill  5
Affiliations

Evaluation of voiding assays in mice: impact of genetic strains and sex

Dale E Bjorling et al. Am J Physiol Renal Physiol. .

Abstract

Void spot assays (VSA) and cystometry are two of the most common tests performed in mice to assess lower urinary tract function. Assay protocols and methodology vary greatly among laboratories, and little is known about reproducibility of results generated by different laboratories. We performed VSA in four mouse strains, comparing males with females and comparing results between two independent laboratories. Unique aspects of the current study include direct comparison of results of VSA performed in a similar manner in two locations and comparison of cystometry performed using two different rates of infusion in these two laboratories. Both assays were performed in male and female 129S1/SvImJ, C57BL/6J, NOD/ShiLtJ, and CAST/EiJ mice, and cystometry was performed under urethane anesthesia (10/group). Assays were performed and results analyzed as previously described. Results obtained in female mice were compared with previously reported values. Results of lower urinary tract function testing in mice vary in a consistent manner with strain and sex. Variables in husbandry, testing techniques, and analysis of results can significantly affect conclusions, particularly those obtained by cystometry. Although VSA results were remarkably similar between the two laboratories, consistent methods for performing lower urinary tract function testing in mice are required to compare results among studies with confidence.

Keywords: cystometry; genetic; mice; micturition; sex.

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Figures

Fig. 1.
Fig. 1.
Images typical of those obtained from male and female 129S1/SvImJ, C57BL/6J, NOD/ShiLtJ, and CAST/EiJ mice. Note that NOD/ShiLtJ mice tend to eat the paper due to the high concentration of glucose in their urine.
Fig. 2.
Fig. 2.
Void spot assay (VSA) data for male and female 129S1/SvImJ, C57BL/6J, NOD/ShiLtJ, and CAST/EiJ mice. Values are means ± SE. *P < 0.05; **P < 0.01.
Fig. 3.
Fig. 3.
Representative cystometric tracings of females and males of the 4 strains tested.
Fig. 4.
Fig. 4.
Results of cystometry. The technique used to obtain measurements from cystometrogram tracings is illustrated. Long horizontal arrow indicates intercontractile interval (ICI). Long vertical arrow indicates maximal intravesical pressure. Shorter horizontal arrows indicate measurement of contraction interval (27). Shown are data on contraction interval, ICI, and maximal intravesical pressure in male and female 129S1/SvImJ, C57BL/6J, NOD/ShiLtJ, and CAST/EiJ mice. Values are means ± SE. *P < 0.05; **P < 0.01.
Fig. 5.
Fig. 5.
A: comparison of VSA data from current study (Madison) and that reported by Yu et al. (31) (Boston) in female 129S1/SvImJ, C57BL/6J, NOD/ShiLtJ, and CAST/EiJ mice. B: comparison of cystometry data from current study and that reported by Yu et al. (31) in female 129S1/SvImJ, C57BL/6J, NOD/ShiLtJ, and CAST/EiJ mice. Values are means ± SE. *P < 0.05; **P < 0.01.
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