Source Paper
Fecal microbiota transplantation protects rotenone-induced Parkinson’s disease mice via suppressing inflammation mediated by the lipopolysaccharide-TLR4 signaling pathway through the microbiota-gut-brain axis
Zhe Zhao, Jingwen Ning, Xiu-qi Bao, Meiyu Shang, Jingwei Ma et al.
Microbiome • 2021
Fecal Output Assessment
Objective: Evaluation of fecal pellet production, water content, and fecal output over time in mice
Protocol Steps
Animal acclimation
Mice were acclimated under standard conditions with 12-hour light/dark cycle, temperature 22±2°C, humidity 50-60%, with ad libitum access to food and water
Note: Humidity maintained at 50-60%
View evidence from paper
“The mice were then acclimatized (12-h light/dark cycle) under standard conditions (temperature 22 ± 2 °C, humidity 50–60%) with ad libitum access to food and water for 7 days”
Animal group assignment
45 mice randomly assigned into control group (n=15) and model group (n=30)
Note: Random assignment performed at beginning of study
View evidence from paper
“A total of 45 mice were randomly assigned into two groups: the control group (n = 15) and the model group (n = 30)”
Initial treatment phase (weeks 1-4)
Model group received daily oral rotenone administration; control group received vehicle administration
Note: Daily administration throughout 4-week period
View evidence from paper
“In the beginning 4 weeks, the model group received the oral administration of rotenone every day. Meanwhile, the control group mice were administrated with vehicle”
Secondary group division
After 4 weeks, model group mice randomly divided into two groups: Rotenone group (n=15) and FMT group (n=15)
Note: Random division of model group performed at week 4
View evidence from paper
“After 4 weeks, we randomly divided the model group mice into two groups: Rotenone group (n = 15) and FMT group (n = 15)”
Secondary treatment phase (weeks 5-6)
FMT group received FMT treatment once per day; control and rotenone groups received vehicle administration once per day
Note: Daily administration during weeks 5-6
View evidence from paper
“During week 5 and 6, the mice in the FMT group were treated with FMT once per day. In the meantime, the control group and the rotenone group mice received vehicle administration once a day”
Body weight measurement
All mice weighed daily throughout experimental period
Note: Daily measurements recorded for all groups
View evidence from paper
“These mice were daily weighed for 6 weeks”
Fecal pellet collection and analysis
Fecal pellets collected and analyzed for water content and total pellet count; fecal output measured over 20-minute time course
Note: Measurements performed at week 6; n=15 for each group for pellet count and water percentage; water percentages and total pellet numbers recorded
View evidence from paper
“I Water percentages of fecal pellets. J Numbers of total fecal pellets. K Time course of fecal output over 20 min. For B – F and I – K, n = 15 for each group”
GI function and behavioral testing
Gastrointestinal function tests and behavioral tests performed at week 6
Note: Tests performed at endpoint before sacrifice
View evidence from paper
“In addition, GI function tests and behavioral tests were performed at week 6”
Animal sacrifice and tissue collection
All mice sacrificed at week 6 for further analysis
Note: Endpoint of study
View evidence from paper
“All the mice were sacrificed at week 6 for further analysis”