Perkas Olga, Pomraenke Marta, Porwoll Veronika, Kühnel Christian, Wiegand Steffen, Herrmann Karl-Heinz, Winkens Thomas, Freesmeyer Martin
Clinic of Nuclear Medicine, Jena University Hospital, Am Klinikum 1, D-07747, Jena, Germany.
Jena University Hospital, Institute of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Medical Physics Group, Philosophenweg 3, D-07743, Jena, Germany.
EJNMMI Res. 2025 Sep 17;15(1):118. doi: 10.1186/s13550-025-01314-7.
Large-size in ovo models are receiving increasing attention since they comply with the 3R requirements (Replacement, Reduction and Refinement) by limiting the number of fully developed laboratory animals. In preclinical imaging research, a specific advantage is that they do not require dedicated scanners for small animals (expensive and rarely available) but are suitable for imaging studies by scanners used for clinical examinations. The present study evaluated large-sized fertilized emu eggs as a candidate model for preclinical imaging research in nuclear medicine by [F]FDG-PET/CT, aiming to increase the repertoire of alternative models to conventional animal testing.
Of 31 fertilized eggs, 18 eggs had viable peripheral vasculature available for vessel detection via MRI or CT. Both modalities provided reliable information on location and dimension of target blood vessels. Optimization of catheterization proved challenging, and only 5 [F]FDG-PET/CT scans were entirely successful in demonstrating the expected biodistribution pattern. In vivo and ex vivo organ activity showed a statistically significant correlation (Spearman's Rho: 0.9091; p = 0.00004).
The emu egg model is suitable for preclinical imaging research with clinical scanners. Considering the shorter seasonal availability but longer incubation period of fertilized emu eggs, this model is a valid complement to the recently introduced ostrich egg model, available only in warm periods. In combination, these models offer a year-round flexibility for in ovo imaging research.
大型禽胚模型正受到越来越多的关注，因为它们通过限制完全发育的实验动物数量符合3R要求（替代、减少和优化）。在临床前成像研究中，一个特殊优势是它们不需要用于小动物的专用扫描仪（昂贵且很少有），而是适用于临床检查用扫描仪进行的成像研究。本研究评估了大型受精鸸鹋蛋作为核医学临床前成像研究的候选模型，通过[F]FDG-PET/CT，旨在增加传统动物试验替代模型的种类。
在31枚受精卵中，18枚卵有可通过MRI或CT检测血管的存活外周血管。两种方式都提供了关于目标血管位置和尺寸的可靠信息。导管插入术的优化被证明具有挑战性，只有5次[F]FDG-PET/CT扫描完全成功地显示了预期的生物分布模式。体内和体外器官活性显示出统计学上的显著相关性（斯皮尔曼等级相关系数：0.9091；p = 0.00004）。
鸸鹋蛋模型适用于用临床扫描仪进行的临床前成像研究。考虑到受精鸸鹋蛋季节性可用性较短但孵化期较长，该模型是最近引入的仅在温暖时期可用的鸵鸟蛋模型的有效补充。综合起来，这些模型为禽胚成像研究提供了全年的灵活性。
