Mouse Automated Blood Sampling

There are many reasons to automate the collection of blood samples from mice: elimination of handling stress, precise control over microsample volumes so that you can take a full PK profile from a single mouse, increased throughput (one technician can run multiple studies simultaneously), and the ability to collect samples while you are at home sleeping.

The Instech ABS2 sampler has been used with mice since it was introduced in 2010. At AALAS in 2011 Amgen Inc. presented on the equivalence to manual data but with a 79% reduction in animal usage (poster P218).

A complete system consists of an automated blood sampler unit (one per animal), a swivel and tether system primed with heparinized saline, and a catheterized mouse with a Vascular Access Button™. In many parts of the world, you can order mice with the catheter and VAB™ implanted as a surgical service so that they arrive at your facility recovered from surgery. You can group house the animals until they are placed on study.

Watch a demonstration of automated blood sampling of unrestrained mice