Rat pinealectomy: a modified direct visual approach.
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.
Maganhin
Carla Cristina
CC
Department of Morphology, UNIFESP, Sao Paulo, Brazil.
Simões
Ricardo Santos
RS
Fuchs
Luiz Fernando Portugal
LF
Oliveira-Filho
Ricardo Martins
RM
Simões
Manuel de Jesus
Mde J
Evêncio Neto
Joaquim
J
Baracat
Edmund Chada
EC
Soares
José Maria
JM
D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D008550:Melatonin / Q000502:physiology; D010870:Pineal Gland / Q000502:physiology / Q000601:surgery*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D012098:Reproduction / Q000502:physiology
D008550:Melatonin