Table 2.

Advantages and disadvantages of a non-invasive and an invasive plethysmographic method.

Non-invasive head-out body plethysmography

Is performed in spontaneously breathing conscious rats or mice

Includes measurement during inhalation exposure

[+]Nearly natural breathing pattern, simple handling, higher throughput

[−]Stress, volume and flow derived parameters but no resistance, and compliance measurable, inhalation exposure includes nasal and gastro-intestinal uptake

Invasive body plethysmography (orotracheally intubated animals)

Is performed in anesthetized but spontaneous breathing rats or mice

Includes measurement during inhalation exposure with optimal dose-control

[+]No stress, gold standard parameters resistance, and compliance available, inhalation exposure is focused to the lungs

[−]Anesthesia, decreased breathing frequency, not very simple handling

Reprinted with permission from Hoymann (2007), modified.