Mouse Microsampling

When you need to take repeated small blood samples from a mouse, consider placing a catheter in the jugular vein or carotid artery and connecting it to a transcutaneous skin button. This method is a refinement over stress-inducing tail snips, retro-orbital bleeds or other peripheral methods, and the Vascular Access Button™ creates a closed system with five times greater patency than an externalized catheter.

Furthermore, with a protective aluminum cap, mice can be group housed, a welfare benefit that is not possible with animals with externalized catheters.

Access the button with a standard syringe fitted with the mating PNP3M injector. Collect precise microsample volumes directly into Sarstedt capillary collection tubes by using the PNP3MS connector (arterial pressure is required for best results — for example, from a carotid artery catheterization). Use the magnetic handling tool to hold the mouse and minimize forces on the animal. Always use positive pressure technique when accessing small mouse catheters.

To reduce stress even further, collect samples outside the cage: hands off sampling.