title: The minipig in dermatotoxicology: methods and challenges.
abstract: In view of more morphological and physiological similarities between human and porcine skin than for other laboratory animal species, the minipig is a preferred model to evaluate the safety profile of dermally applied xenobiotics. Different methods of dermal administration and examples of non-invasive and invasive investigations during the in-life phase of the studies are described. Routine and special post-mortem examinations in dermal studies are presented to assess responses to the topical treatment of minipig skin. Challenges in dermal minipig studies are discussed with respect to animal welfare and husbandry, test formulations, application methods and different types of investigations. One of the most significant issues for dermal minipig studies is the extensive measures required to prevent cross-contamination of blood and tissue samples taken to monitor local and systemic exposure to the test item.
authors.affiliation: Novartis Pharma AG, MUT-2881.128, Auhafenstr., CH-4132 Muttenz, Switzerland. joerg_andreas.mahl@novartis.com
authors.forename: Jörg Andreas
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Mahl
authors.forename: Beate E
authors.initials: BE
authors.lastname: Vogel
authors.forename: Mireille
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Court
authors.forename: Maryelle
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kolopp
authors.forename: Danielle
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Roman
authors.forename: Vicente
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Nogués
mesh_terms: D000279:Administration, Cutaneous; D000822:Animal Husbandry; D000827:Animal Welfare; D000818:Animals; D007509:Irritants / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000145:classification / Q000633:toxicity*; D023421:Models, Animal; D012867:Skin / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology; D013552:Swine; D013556:Swine, Miniature / Q000502:physiology*; D018675:Toxicity Tests / Q000379:methods*; D015262:Xenobiotics / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000145:classification / Q000633:toxicity*
chemical_list: D007509:Irritants; D015262:Xenobiotics