title: Two cannula method for parenteral infusion and serial blood sampling in the freely moving rat.
abstract: Materials and techniques are described for positioning and exteriorizing two chronic venous cannulas in the rat. A cannula for fluid infusion is placed in the inferior vena cava via the femoral vein and exteriorized on the tail, whereas a cannula for blood withdrawal is placed in the superior vena cava and exteriorized in the scapular region. Grooming behavior and range of motion are not impeded since the cannula used for chronic infusion is shielded by a light-weight tail cover instead of a torso harness. Application of this method can minimize numbers of rats used in total parenteral nutrition (TPN) studies as demonstrated by our feasibility study in which serum parameters of liver function were serially monitored in toxin-treated rats infused with nutrient mixtures.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston 77550.
authors.forename: M T
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Moslen
authors.forename: M F
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Kanz
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Bhatia
authors.forename: E M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Catarau
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001800:Blood Specimen Collection / Q000295:instrumentation*; D002405:Catheterization, Central Venous / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D010289:Parenteral Nutrition, Total; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains