What is the best way/method to repetitively (every other day over a two-week period) collect small amount (20uL) of serum (from total blood) on live mice?
Hello Manzama-Esso Abi
You may use the tail incision method. It is "animal friendly". For this method the mouse is gently cupped by one person while the experimenter makes a small incision, about 2 cm from the tip of the tail, in the lateral tail vein using a sharp blade. Blood is directly collected into small volume capillary tubes. Blood flow starts and stops spontaneously through the small incision or with a small amount of pressure, so no blood is wasted.
This is a minimally invasive procedure which neither require any restraint devices nor anesthesia. Also, tail warming is not required.
The smallest blood volume just enough for biochemical analysis can be taken with no blood wasted in either needles or syringes. This procedure is stress-free with minimal pain to the animal.
Also, you may refer to the article attached below for more information.
Article Fluttert M, Dalm S, Oitzl MS. A refined method for sequentia...
Best.
Hello,
Much like Malcolm Nobre , I used to collect small volumes of blood from the tail vein of the mouse. You can help the blood flow by gently 'massaging' the tail. I would say however that the frequency of the blood collection you require is a bit too often, try to reduce it if you can.
Cheers!
B.
Hello Malcolm Nobre Bartosz Wiernicki and thank you so much,
My first consideration was the tail vein sampling, since mice could not stand several cycles of retro-orbitally blood collection and the needed volume was small. But I was concerned about the mice state after several tail incisions. I guess it’s ok since the method is “animal friendly”. I will also consider reducing the blood collection frequency as suggested. Thank you so much
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