Estimation of glomerular filtration rate in conscious mice using a simplified equation.

To develop an expedient procedure for estimating glomerular filtration rate (GFR) in conscious mice, we first established a simple technique for repeated blood collections from the tail vein using a microcapillary tube attached to a 24-gauge needle without the hub. Then, we devised a definition equation for estimation of the GFR using the contrast medium iodixanol as a test tracer. Iodixanol was administered as a bolus injection at 1500 mg I/kg to ddY mice, and the GFR was determined by the conventional multisample strategy.