Asthma is a chronic condition characterised by alveolar hyper-responsiveness (AHR) and airway narrowing. The assessment of AHR can be performed using a number of techniques, including the non-invasive methods of whole body plethysmography and the non-invasive airway mechanics system. To gain a more extensive overview of pulmonary function in animal models of asthma, invasive methods are recommended. Both airway narrowing and AHR can be assessed using the EMMS eSpira™ system, which enables a researcher to perform classical spirometry lung function testing on anaesthetised laboratory animals. Invasive airway mechanics allows a scientist to measure AHR in a number of animals simultaneously.

The graph above illustrates data obtained from an acute mouse asthma model. Subjects were sensitised and repeatedly challenged with ovalbumin. Twenty four hours post-challenge they were placed in an EMMS whole body plethysmograph and a methacholine aerosol was administered. The eDacq analysis showed ovalbumine sensitised mice demonstrated a significant dose dependent increase in PenH when compared with control mice.