Van Wijk, H., Haida, D., Duncan, C. et al. 2020. Surgery refinements improve success rates in rat bile collection. Animal Technology and Welfare 19(3), 251-254.

This poster compares the model success rates using 2 different housing regimes during recovery from surgery. Catheters were placed in the bile duct to collect bile; a second catheter was secured into the duodenum where artificial bile salts were infused. Both catheters were exteriorised via a tail cuff. Method 1 – Animals were allowed to recover from surgery, singly housed in a standard cage whilst being tethered. They were transferred to a glass metabowl the day before dosing. Method 2 – A modified tail cuff was developed which enabled both catheters to be passed through the tail cuff and connected to the dual PinPortTM. The U-shaped loop was connected to the dual port permitting the animal to recirculate its own bile back into the duodenum during the recovery period. The port was protected by a cap screwed onto the tail cuff. This modification meant that animals did not need to be tethered and could be group housed with standard environmental enrichment in standard caging. It also enabled the recovery period to be extended and therefore to allow the animals more time to recuperate from the surgical procedure. Surgical success rate, reduction in bodyweight losses, comparable animal health observation, and acceptable bile flow show that the PinPortTM model hugely improves animal health and welfare without infringing scientific integrity.

Year
2020
Animal Type
Setting