AJP - Heart and Circulatory Physiology, Vol 264, Issue 5 1509-H1516, Copyright © 1993 by American Physiological Society
Measurement of blood pressure and heart rate by telemetry in conscious, unrestrained marmosets
C. R. Schnell and J. M. Wood
Cardiovascular Research Department, Ciba-Geigy, Basel, Switzerland.
A system is described for the continuous measurement of blood pressure,
heart rate, and motor activity by telemetry in conscious marmosets freely
moving in their home cages. Consistent diurnal variations in these
parameters were observed under standard conditions, although these
parameters were sensitive to changes in the environment. Blood pressure
values were similar to those measured by nontelemetric methods in
conscious, restrained marmosets. However, heart rate was lower, indicating
that telemetry is less stressful. The suitability of this system for
assessing the effects of blood pressure-lowering drugs was evaluated. An
acute or a prolonged treatment with a converting enzyme inhibitor of
marmosets maintained on a low-sodium diet induced a fall in blood pressure
as previously observed using nontelemetric methods. With telemetry,
however, more accurate information on the duration of response and the
effects of the treatment on the diurnal rhythms was obtained. These
observations demonstrate the advantages of telemetry for evaluating the
hemodynamic effects of drug treatments under physiological conditions.
