Work

Technical brief: a comparison of two methods of euthanasia on retinal dopamine levels.

Year: 2013

Type: article

Abstract: PURPOSE: Mice are commonly used in biomedical research, and euthanasia is an important part of mouse husbandry. Approved, humane methods of euthanasia are designed to minimize the potential for pain or discomfort, but may also influence the measurement of experimental variables. METHODS: We compared the effects of two approved methods of mouse euthanasia on the levels of retinal dopamine. We examined the level of retinal dopamine, a commonly studied neuromodulator, following euthanasia by carbon dioxide (CO₂)-induced asphyxiation or by cervical dislocation. RESULTS: We found that the level of retinal dopamine in mice euthanized through CO₂ overdose substantially differed from that in mice euthanized through cervical dislocation. CONCLUSIONS: The use of CO₂ as a method of euthanasia could result in an experimental artifact that could compromise results when studying labile biologic processes.

Source: Europe PMC (PubMed Central)

Authors: Christopher K Hwang, P Michael Iuvone

Institution: Emory University

Language: English

Topic: Animal testing and alternatives

Subfield: Small Animals

Field: Veterinary

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: green

Funders: National Institutes of Health, National Eye Institute, National Institute of General Medical Sciences

Awards: NQO2: A novel target to reduce oxidative stress in retinal pigment epithelium, P30-Core Grant for Vision Research, VIsion Science Training in Atlanta, Graduate Training in the Pharmacological Sciences, Neuromodulators and Circadian Clocks: Roles in Retinal Function and Dysfunction