Novartis Pharma AG, Preclinical Safety, WKL-126.116, 4002 Basel, Switzerland.
Lab Anim. 2010 Oct;44(4):352-8. doi: 10.1258/la.2010.010011. Epub 2010 Aug 9.
In a large number of animal experiments, blood collection is crucial for achieving the study aim. Requirements on sampling techniques used include their practicability, their effectiveness in terms of obtaining the desired blood volume, sample quality and low impact on animal's wellbeing. Numerous methods for blood collection from mice have been published. For large blood volumes, submandibular and sublingual bleeding was developed as alternatives to the retrobulbar bleeding method, which is considered controversial as it results in severe tissue damage. Only a few studies report the use of submandibular and sublingual techniques in mice. In particular, the degree of tissue damage or influence on animal's wellbeing due to submandibular bleeding in conscious mice has not yet been clearly assessed. This gap in the knowledge base has been filled by our exploratory study that revealed clear differences between both techniques. Defence movements during submandibular blood collection in conscious mice resulted in more complications and revealed insufficient blood sample quality due to the prolonged duration of blood collection. In addition, it is likely that these movements may have caused lesions to be more pronounced. Changes in red blood cell parameters (red blood cell count, haemoglobin and haematocrit), in glucose and in total protein concentrations observed in anaesthetized animals were most likely related to anaesthesia. Sublingually punctured mice gained significantly more body weight than submandibularly punctured mice, likely due to less severe tissue lesions and improved healing processes. Based on these results, we recommend the sublingual blood collection technique to be used in mice. However, if the submandibular bleeding technique is used, it should be performed in anaesthetized mice only.
在大量的动物实验中，采血对于实现研究目的至关重要。对所用采样技术的要求包括其实用性、获得所需血量的有效性、样品质量以及对动物健康的低影响。已经发表了许多从老鼠身上采集血液的方法。对于大量的血液，发展了颌下和舌下出血作为眶后出血方法的替代方法，眶后出血方法被认为有争议，因为它会导致严重的组织损伤。只有少数研究报告在老鼠中使用颌下和舌下技术。特别是，由于颌下出血，在清醒的老鼠中组织损伤的程度或对动物健康的影响尚未得到明确评估。我们的探索性研究填补了这一知识空白，该研究揭示了两种技术之间的明显差异。在清醒的老鼠中进行颌下采血时，由于采血时间延长，防御运动导致更多并发症，并导致血液样本质量不足。此外，这些运动可能导致病变更加明显。麻醉动物中观察到的红细胞参数（红细胞计数、血红蛋白和血细胞比容）、葡萄糖和总蛋白浓度的变化很可能与麻醉有关。与颌下穿刺的老鼠相比，舌下穿刺的老鼠体重显著增加，这可能是由于组织损伤较轻和愈合过程改善。基于这些结果，我们建议在老鼠中使用舌下采血技术。但是，如果使用颌下出血技术，则只能在麻醉的老鼠中进行。
