Specifically, as use on a harness for attaching a radiotransmitter to a bird, to provide a 'weak link' to the harness which will eventually break down. I can find resorption rates for in vivo sutures, but not for sutures which are not exposed to bodily fluids/tissues.
Thanks in advance.
Those sutures can remain in tissue for very long periods, since hydrolysis is very unpredictable. As a result, infection may occur. So I believe it is not a humane method for attachment of radio transmitters to birds. I don't know about the strength outside the body.
Andrew Pegman BVSc MANZCVS
Hello again,
Sorry, I am assuming you are suturing the transmitters through the birds' skin, rather than using the Vicryl or PDS to tie them onto the feathers?
Andrew :-)
Hi Andrew
No, definitely not through the birds' skin. Just to secure the harness straps together. So they'd be completely dry (apart from being rained on after birds are released) :).
We don't actually use these attachment methods in our own research but another researcher who is looking at using harnesses on a different species has asked.
Thanks
A
I actually think ordinary cotton thread might break down before these materials would, but it's very hard to find this sort of info. And, I guess it all depends on the humidity levels in the environment. It would be quite an arid environment where these birds are released.
If it's an arid (and presumably sunny) environment, something susceptible to UV might be better than something that breaks down with humidity. What about a thin elastic from a sewing store?
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