A technique for long-term implantation of a microcatheter into the third ventricle of post-pubertal Chinese Meishan pigs based on ventriculography.
The objectives of this study were to implant a microcatheter into the third ventricle of post-pubertal Chinese Meishan pigs, and to maintain the microcatheter for a long time without causing stress. Fourteen pigs (45-60 kg BW) were used. Each pig was anesthetized and the head was orientated on the stereotaxic apparatus. A radiopaque dye was placed into the ventricle via a guide cannula inserted 3.5 mm forward of the bregma. A microcatheter was inserted into the third ventricle using ventriculography, and fixed with dental cement to a metal-mesh protector and screw anchors embedded into the skull. The opposite end of the microcatheter was externalized from the dorsal neck so that corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) could be injected easily. Simultaneously, a catheter was fitted in the jugular vein, and the free end of the catheter was externalized from the dorsal neck. Microcatheter-implanted pigs showed a normal progesterone concentration profile, and a constant cortisol level during at least two estrous cycles. Furthermore, intracerebroventricular injections of CRH (25 microg/500 microl) resulted in an increased plasma cortisol concentration (P < 0.05). Thus, the technique developed in this study enables us to approach the third ventricle in post-pubertal freely-moving pigs effectively over a long time, without causing stress.
Sakumoto
Ryosuke
R
Laboratory of Animal Neurophysiology, Department of Physiology and Genetic Regulation, National Institute of Agrobiological Sciences, Ibaraki 305-8602, Japan. sakumoto@affrc.go.jp
Kasuya
Etsuko
E
Saito
Toshiyuki
T
Akita
Tomiji
T
D000818:Animals; D002408:Catheters, Indwelling / Q000592:standards*; D014695:Cerebral Ventriculography / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D003287:Contrast Media; D003346:Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone / Q000494:pharmacology; D030762:Estrous Cycle / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism; D007031:Hypothalamus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D008845:Microinjections / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D019635:Neurosurgical Procedures / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D011374:Progesterone / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism; D012741:Sexual Maturation / Q000502:physiology; D013312:Stress, Physiological / Q000517:prevention & control; D034421:Sus scrofa / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology / Q000601:surgery*; D020542:Third Ventricle / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology / Q000601:surgery*; D015854:Up-Regulation / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology
D003287:Contrast Media; D011374:Progesterone; D003346:Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone; D006854:Hydrocortisone