The system is equipped with a large chamber where home cages with mice, rats, and guinea pigs are placed. Optionally, the manufacturer performs on request various sizes chambers to euthanize or two-chamber system (pictured). The system is equipped with a control panel and an optional trolley. For procedural reasons gases necessary for the operation of the system, carbogen and carbon dioxide provides the customer on their own.
System description
First, carbogen gas is introduced at the bottom of the cage, by means of a PLC controlled valve. Carbogen is a gas mixture of 95% O2 + 5% CO2 . This causes a high concentration O2 in the cage and in the container, while the 5%-concentration CO2 does not cause any reaction at the CO2 reseptors in the animal lungs. The pO2 level in the blood becomes maximal.
After 1 min. the Carbogen flow is stopped and 100% CO2 is introduced into the cage. In this way the high concentration O2 is slowly replaced by CO2. This relatively slow replacement of O2 by CO2 is responsable for the reduction of stress for the animal.
This method is much better and painless than expose animals directly to 100% CO2. Please see attached publication.