Blood pressure measurement in freely moving rats by the tail cuff method

Abstract

Inconsistency in consecutive blood pressure values is one of the most frequently observed problems in tail cuff method. The aim of this study was to measure blood pressure using the tail cuff method in rats without heating, anesthesia, and movement restriction. In this study, it has been shown that blood pressure measurement could be obtained without problem using the tail cuff method in freely moving rats in their cage environment. Also, the reliability of consecutive blood pressure values obtained from freely moving rats was higher than ether anesthesia and restricted groups.