Protocol to characterize longitudinal gut motility in mice using transit time, tissue harvest, and whole-mount immunostaining

Mary E. Frith; Purna C. Kashyap; David R. Linden; Eugene B. Chang

doi:10.1016/j.xpro.2025.103761

Protocol to characterize longitudinal gut motility in mice using transit time, tissue harvest, and whole-mount immunostaining

Mary E. Frith, Purna C. Kashyap, David R. Linden, Eugene B. Chang

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Abstract

Transit time is a key in vivo metric of gastrointestinal (GI) motility, which is a physiologic readout of cellular communication within the enteric system. Here, we present a protocol to characterize longitudinal gut motility in mice. We describe steps for transit testing, whole-mount immunostaining, and tissue harvest. We then detail procedures for image processing and manual cell counting. This protocol seeks to minimize inter-trial variability while assessing cellular and molecular features that may underpin motility differences between experimental conditions. For complete details on the use and execution of this protocol, please refer to Frith et al.¹

Original language	English (US)
Article number	103761
Journal	STAR Protocols
Volume	6
Issue number	2
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.xpro.2025.103761
State	Published - Jun 20 2025

Keywords

Metabolism
Model Organisms
Systems biology

ASJC Scopus subject areas

General Neuroscience
General Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology
General Immunology and Microbiology

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10.1016/j.xpro.2025.103761

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abstract = "Transit time is a key in vivo metric of gastrointestinal (GI) motility, which is a physiologic readout of cellular communication within the enteric system. Here, we present a protocol to characterize longitudinal gut motility in mice. We describe steps for transit testing, whole-mount immunostaining, and tissue harvest. We then detail procedures for image processing and manual cell counting. This protocol seeks to minimize inter-trial variability while assessing cellular and molecular features that may underpin motility differences between experimental conditions. For complete details on the use and execution of this protocol, please refer to Frith et al.1",

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AU - Chang, Eugene B.

PY - 2025/6/20

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AB - Transit time is a key in vivo metric of gastrointestinal (GI) motility, which is a physiologic readout of cellular communication within the enteric system. Here, we present a protocol to characterize longitudinal gut motility in mice. We describe steps for transit testing, whole-mount immunostaining, and tissue harvest. We then detail procedures for image processing and manual cell counting. This protocol seeks to minimize inter-trial variability while assessing cellular and molecular features that may underpin motility differences between experimental conditions. For complete details on the use and execution of this protocol, please refer to Frith et al.1

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Protocol to characterize longitudinal gut motility in mice using transit time, tissue harvest, and whole-mount immunostaining

Abstract

Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas

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