title: Rat pinealectomy: a modified direct visual approach.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To report a new, direct visual approach for rat pinealectomy.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eighty adult female rats (Rattus norvegicus albinus EPM-1 strain) were weighted and anesthetized intraperitoneally with 15 mg/kg xylazine and 30 mg/kg ketamine. The animal was fastened to a dissection table, an incision was made in the skin and the subcutaneous tissue, bringing the lambda into view. The skullcap was opened with a dental drill, bringing the cerebral hemispheres and the superior sagittal sinus into view. The pineal gland, located under the venous sinus, was removed in a single piece using tweezers. Next, the bone fragment was returned to its place and the surgical layers were sutured.
  
  
  RESULTS
  This new technique is easy to be done, avoids bleedings and removes only the pineal gland without damage to the remaining encephalon. In addition it makes possible the achievement of a sham surgery, allowing the pineal gland to remain intact.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The proposed technique intends to facilitate studies aiming to better understanding the complexity and importance of the pineal gland on reproductive and other body systems.
authors.affiliation: Department of Morphology, UNIFESP, Sao Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Carla Cristina
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Maganhin
authors.forename: Ricardo Santos
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Simões
authors.forename: Luiz Fernando Portugal
authors.initials: LF
authors.lastname: Fuchs
authors.forename: Ricardo Martins
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Oliveira-Filho
authors.forename: Manuel de Jesus
authors.initials: Mde J
authors.lastname: Simões
authors.forename: Joaquim
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Evêncio Neto
authors.forename: Edmund Chada
authors.initials: EC
authors.lastname: Baracat
authors.forename: José Maria
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Soares
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D008550:Melatonin / Q000502:physiology; D010870:Pineal Gland / Q000502:physiology / Q000601:surgery*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D012098:Reproduction / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D008550:Melatonin