Hello fellow researchers,

I'm conducting a study involving bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) in rats and encountering significant challenges with fluid recovery. After instilling approximately 1 mL of lavage fluid, I'm only able to recover about 10% when suctioning the liquid back.

I've been closely following the protocol described in the publication (doi: 10.3791/55398), but the recovery rate remains consistently low. Has anyone else experienced similar issues with BAL in rats? If so, what techniques or modifications helped improve your recovery rates?