# Promoting Rigor and Reproducibility in Rodent Models of Metabolic Disease through Thermoneutral Housing

> **NIH NIH R24** · ARKANSAS CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL RES INST · 2024 · $342,798

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY
Preclinical research relies heavily on appropriate animal models to better understand human biology and to
test the safety and efficacy of new therapies. It is important that animal research cores continually strive to
optimize preclinical models, both from an animal welfare standpoint and to promote rigor and the translatability
of preclinical data.
Rodents are thought to represent around 97% of the vertebrate animals used in biomedical research in the US.
Guidelines in the US recommend housing laboratory rodents at temperatures ranging from 20°C to 26°C.
However, there a growing body of data indicating that housing temperatures in the low to mid-20°Cs
represents mild cold stress for rodents. Critically, compared to housing animals at thermoneutrality, sub-
thermoneutrality can fundamentally change rodent physiology to a degree that can impact disease
susceptibility and/or the efficacy of specific therapies. Accordingly, the utility and importantly the translational
value of preclinical rodent models is dependent on appropriate control of housing temperature.
The goal of this application is to acquire modern rodent housing cabinets that will advance research-related
operations within the animal core at Arkansas Children’s Research Institute by providing a cost and energy-
efficient means to breed, house, and study rodents at temperatures that promote the rigor and translatability of
resulting data.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10986907
- **Project number:** 1R24OD037683-01
- **Recipient organization:** ARKANSAS CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL RES INST
- **Principal Investigator:** Craig Porter
- **Activity code:** R24 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $342,798
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2024-08-15 → 2025-07-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10986907

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10986907, Promoting Rigor and Reproducibility in Rodent Models of Metabolic Disease through Thermoneutral Housing (1R24OD037683-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-06-12 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10986907. Licensed CC0.

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