Barbiturate euthanasia solution-induced tissue artifact in nonhuman primates.
BACKGROUND
Barbiturate euthanasia solutions are a humane and approved means of euthanasia. Overdosing causes significant tissue damage in a variety of laboratory animals.


METHODS
One hundred seventeen non-human primates (NHP) representing 7 species including 12 fetuses euthanized for humane and research reasons by various vascular routes with Euthasol, Sodium Pentobarbital, Fatal Plus, Beuthanasia D, or Euthanasia 5 were evaluated for euthanasia-induced tissue damage. Lungs and livers were histologically graded for hemolysis, vascular damage, edema, and necrosis. Severity of tissue damage was analyzed for differences on the basis of agent, age, sex, dose, and injection route.


RESULTS
Severity of tissue damage was directly related to dose and the intracardiac injection route, but did not differ by species, sex, and agent used.


CONCLUSIONS
When the recommended dose of agent was used, tissue damage was generally reduced, minimal, or undetectable. Barbiturate-induced artifacts in NHPs are essentially the same as in other laboratory species.
Veterinary Resources, Southwest National Primate Research Center, Southwest Foundation for Biomedical Research, San Antonio, TX 76227-5301, USA.
J L
JL
Grieves
E J
EJ
Dick
N E
NE
Schlabritz-Loutsevich
S D
SD
Butler
M M
MM
Leland
S E
SE
Price
C R
CR
Schmidt
P W
PW
Nathanielsz
G B
GB
Hubbard
D000818:Animals; D002144:Callithrix; D016663:Cercopithecinae; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004338:Drug Combinations; D005065:Euthanasia; D005260:Female; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D008099:Liver / Q000473:pathology; D008168:Lung / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D010424:Pentobarbital / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012452:Saguinus
D004338:Drug Combinations; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives; D010424:Pentobarbital