A valid and reproducible protocol for testing maximal oxygen uptake in rabbits
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Physiological studies of long-term cardiovascular adaptation to exercise require adequate testing procedures to quantify the outcome. Such test procedures are well established in rats and mice. However, the use of these species may have limitations, and to study several physiological parameters mimicking 'the human adaptation' larger animal models may be preferable. Here, we established a valid and reproducible exercise test protocol for measuring maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) in rabbits. METHODS AND RESULTS: The VO2max protocol was studied in six adult female New Zealand White rabbits running on a treadmill at inclinations ranging from 0 to 20 degrees. VO2max was reached at all inclinations indicating that the rabbits reach exhaustion independent of inclination. Average VO2max for test and retest were 35.1+/-4.2 and 35.8+/-4.0 ml/kg per min, respectively. Oxygen uptake and heart rate increased linearly with increased running speed. Average running speed at VO2max was 0.51+/-0.09 m/s, and there was an increase oxygen pulse up to the intensity corresponding to VO2max, where it leveled off and declined. CONCLUSION: This study shows that rabbit is a suitable species for studying responses to training and could be of great importance for showing novel cellular cardiac adaptations to training.
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Rabbit in vivo heart rate range is 155-360 bpm, higher than humans but closer to humans than mouse and rat heart rates.
“Rabbits have an in vivo heart rate range of 155–360 bpm (Gaustad, Rolim, & Wisloff, 2010; Jover, McGrath, & Ludbrook, 1987) which is still higher than humans (Flamm, et al., 1990; Stratton, et al., 1994) but significantly closer than mouse and rats”
From Small and large animal models in cardiac contraction research: advantages and disadvantages (2014) · cites this paper as Gaustad, et al., 2010
During peak exercise, rabbits can increase heart rate from 155-211 bpm to 328-360 bpm, a 71-112% increase.
“Exercise studies suggest that rabbits can increase their heart rates from 155–211 bpm to 328–360 bpm (71–112% increase) during peak exercise (Gaustad, et al., 2010; Jover, et al., 1987).”
From Small and large animal models in cardiac contraction research: advantages and disadvantages (2014) · cites this paper as Gaustad, et al., 2010
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Small and large animal models in cardiac contraction research: advantages and disadvantages
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- Authors
- Gaustad, S. E., Rolim, N., & Wisløff, U.
- Affiliations
- Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NO)
- Corresponding author
- Wisløff, Ulrik
- Venue
- European Journal of Cardiovascular Prevention & Rehabilitation
- Publisher
- Oxford University Press (OUP)
- Published
- 2010-02
- Volume
- 17
- Issue
- 1
- Pages
- 83-88
- ISSN
- 1741-8267 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W2022234288
- Cited by
- 12
- References
- 21
- Citations by year
- 2026: 1 · 2025: 1 · 2022: 1 · 2020: 3 · 2018: 1 · 2017: 1 · 2015: 1 · 2013: 2
- FWCI
- 2.57
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- European Journal of Cardiovascular Prevention & Rehabilitation (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Complementary and alternative medicine › Cardiovascular and exercise physiology
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine › Cardiovascular Effects of Exercise
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Orthopedics and Sports Medicine › Sports Performance and Training
- Keywords
- VO2max, rabbit model, treadmill exercise testing, test-retest reproducibility, training effects, cardiovascular adaptation to exercise, heart rate, oxygen pulse, running speed, treadmill inclination
- MeSH terms
- Animals, Behavior, Animal, Electrocardiography, Exercise Test, Physical Exertion, Female, Heart Rate, Oxygen, Oxygen Consumption, Rabbits, Telemetry, Reproducibility of Results, Biomarkers, Observer Variation, Respiratory Mechanics, Lactic Acid
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