Abstract

FERNANDEZ, Vanesa; DOMINGUEZ, Paula; GARCIA, Jorge P.  and  ESTEIN, Silvia M.. Submandibular puncture with injection needle in mice: comparison between two different procedures. InVet [online]. 2019, vol.21, n.2, pp.231-241. ISSN 1668-3498.

The puncture of the venous plexus in the submandibular region in mice is an accepted technique to obtain blood volumes suitable for routine clinical analysis. Although the use of commercial lancets is recommended, in Argentina they are not available and they could be replaced by injection needles. The aim of this study was to compare the use of 21G x 1" needles using two different submandibular puncture procedures in 8-week-old BALB/c mice: G1) with cap cut to 10 mm (restricting the depth of the puncture) and, G2) without cap to determine: a) blood volume obtained, b) hematological data and glycaemia and c) tissue damage. The blood volume obtained by submandibular needle puncture without cap was significantly higher than the one collected with cap. Hematological values and glycaemia were normal for both procedures. No histological damage was observed in any of the procedures used. In conclusion, it is recommended the use of needle without cap as a refining procedure to collect submandibular blood since it is cheapest, practical, allows to obtain moderate volumes no causing tissue damage and ensuring the animal recovery.

Keywords : Submandibular bleeding; Mice; Needle with and without cap.

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