| Abstract
| - We present a new methodology for testing physiologicalresponses of small organisms (size 70−500 μm) via changesin their oxygen respiration monitored by quenched-phosphorescence oxygen sensing on a scale of a singleorganism. The method is demonstrated using three differentformats of respirometric assays, Artemia salina andmouse embryos as model animals, and various effectorsincluding compounds that induce and prevent superoxide-mediated and heavy metal ion toxicity. These assays,which employ soluble oxygen probes, standard fluorescentreaders, and accessory tools, provide sensitive, noninvasive,real-time monitoring of animal respiration, and rapidassessment of EC50, sublethal effects, and metabolicalterations. Applications include screening for acute toxicityof compound libraries and environmental samples, andthe study of animal physiology and metabolism.
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