Nutrition Research Division

Health Canada, Ottawa, Ontario
What the facility does

Provides access to an EchoMRI 4in1 Body Composition Analyzer to measure fat, lean, free water and total water masses in live animals, organs and tissue samples

Areas of expertise

The EchoMRI 4in1 Body Composition Analyzer allows measurement of body composition in live animals (e.g. rats and mice) up to 1,100 grams in size. It can also measure composition of organs or tissue samples up to 7 grams in size and biopsy samples up to 0.3 grams.

Research services

The EchoMRI 4in1 Body Composition Analyzer belongs to the Bureau of Nutritional Sciences, Health Canada and is located in the animal facility of the Sir Frederick G. Banting Research Centre. It is primarily used by nutrition research laboratories in the Bureau of Nutritional Sciences. Operation is relatively easy. A training period of approximately 1 hour is sufficient for individuals without prior knowledge. 

Sectors of application
  • Agriculture, animal science and food
  • Life sciences, pharmaceuticals and medical equipment
Equipment Function
EchoMRI 4in1 Body Composition Analyzer Analyzes body composition measurements of fat, lean, free water and total water masses
  • University of Ottawa
  • Carleton University
Title URL
Food Directorate https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/corporate/about-health-canada/branches-agencies/health-produ…
Moderately low magnesium intake impairs growth of lean body mass in obese-prone and obese-resistant rats fed a high-energy diet. Nutrients https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27136580
Small increases in dietary calcium above normal requirements exacerbate magnesium deficiency in rats fed low magnesium diet. Magnes Res. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24827814