I heard the best method in this case is euthanasia by decapitation. But should I use anesthetic agents? Doesn't it have an impact on the cytokines levels?
Thank you very much.
Hello Luís Felipe Toscano
I suggest that you should go for euthanasia by decapitation. Please refer to the research article below for more information.
Article Effect of sevoflurane and halothane anesthesia on cognitive ...
In the current study, we scrutinized the effect of sevoflurane and halothane on cognitive and immune function in young rats. The rats were divided into following groups: sevoflurane, halothane and sevoflurane + halothane groups, respectively. The rats were regularly treated with the pre-determined treatment. We also scrutinized the serum proinflammatory cytokines including IL-10, IL-4 and IL-2; brain level IL-1β; hippocampal neuronal apoptosis concentration were estimated. The water maze test was performed in rats for the estimation of cognitive ability. During the water maze test, on the 1st day the sevoflurane group showed the latency; sevoflurane and sevoflurane + halothane group demonstrated the declined latency gradually as compared to the control group rats after the 3 days. The latency of the control, halothane, sevoflurane + halothane group rats showed the reduced latency and also showed the reduced crossing circle times. The hippocampal neuron apoptosis was significantly increased in halothane and sevoflurane + halothane group as compared to control group rats, respectively. Control group rats demonstrated the increased neuron apoptosis. The proinflammatory cytokines including IL-10 and IL-4 was significantly higher in sevoflurane, halothane and sevoflurane + halothane group rats after anesthesia and the whole brain IL-1β was significantly decrease in the sevoflurane, halothane and sevoflurane + halothane as compared to control group. Sevoflurane can inhibit the anesthesia effect of halothane on the immune and cognitive function of rats.
Best Wishes.
The optimal choice of euthanasia method for laboratory rodents depends on a number of factors, including the scientific goals of the study, the need to minimize animal pain and/or distress, applicable guidelines and laws, the training and proficiency of personnel, and the safety and emotional needs of the personnel performing the euthanasia. For guidance, take a look to this recent paper: Article Review of Rodent Euthanasia Methods
We routinely use Isofluorane combined with decapitation for euthanisation of rats where blood or tissue samples are used for analysis. The process itself shouldn't last more than 60 seconds and has good reproducible results. Hope it helps.