Abdominal/ thoracic blood vessel

Technique
Summary
Resources and references
Abdominal/thoracic blood vessel sampling in other animals
All blood sampling techniques in the rat

Please read the general principles of blood sampling page before attempting any blood sampling procedure.

Technique

Appropriate for all strains of rat, this is a suitable technique to obtain a single, large, good-quality blood sample from a euthanised rat or a rat under terminal anaesthesia. A sample size of 5-10 ml can be collected from the hepatic portal vein, or 10-15 ml from other abdominal/thoracic vessels, depending on the size of the rat. As the heart is not punctured, this technique can be used where it is necessary to avoid cardiac damage.

Blood is collected either from the abdominal aorta, caudal or dorsal aorta, vena cava or hepatic portal vein which are accessed via a laparotomy or thoracotomy. Removal of connective tissue and application of finger pressure is necessary to dilate the vessel. Blood should be withdrawn slowly to prevent the vessel collapsing. Deep surgical anaesthesia is necessary Correct aseptic technique should be used.

Summary

Number of samples	One
Sample volume	Up to 10 ml from the hepatic portal vein, or 15 ml from other abdominal/thoracic vessels, depending on the size of the rat.
Equipment	19 - 21G needle
Staff resource	One person is required to take the sample.