Mouse Blood Sampling Outside Cage

Take blood samples without touching the animal, catheterize the carotid artery or jugular vein, and implant a Vascular Access Button™ (or order the animals with the buttons already in place). You can group house mice in recovery and prior to the study start when using the protective cap.

To start the experiment connect a KVABM1T/25-MBS tether kit that is primed with heparinized saline. The PE/PVC tubing used in this kit minimizes evaporation which can pull blood into the catheter tip, and the dead volume is less than 50µl. Sample from the PinPort™ at the top of the tether line using syringes fitted with PNP3M injectors. Your first syringe will hold mixed blood and saline, your second will take a pure sample, you will then return the mixed blood to the animal to minimize blood loss, and finish by flushing the line with heparinized saline in a third syringe.

Optionally skip the syringe and collect directly into Sarstedt capillary tubes for precise microsamples using the PNP3MS connector.

This procedure takes blood samples free from handling stress similar to an automated blood sampler, but using a human instead of a machine. Given a mouse’s small blood volume, take care not to over-infuse heparinized saline during the flush.