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Evaluation of peripheral lymphoreticular biopsy techniques and their clinical side effects in sheep
C M A Thuring1, M A Crowe, H McAllister
1Department of Animal Husbandry and Production, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Conway Institute of Biomedical and Biomolecular Medicine, University College Dublin, Ballsbridge, Ireland.
Abstract:
Tissue samples were collected postmortem from 126 sheep at five lymphoreticular sites by different techniques. The three most successful combinations of sites and techniques were: the third eyelids, using a forceps and scissors, which provided a mean (se) of 5.32 (0.70) lymphoid follicles per 5 microm tissue section, a mandibular lymph node, using a Biopty gun, which gave 1.19 (0.26) lymphoid follicles per 5 microm tissue section, and tonsil, using a biopsy forceps, which gave 1.14 (0.27) lymphoid follicles per 5 microm tissue section. These three techniques were repeated once a month for five months on five sheep under general anaesthesia, and their clinical effects were compared with five control sheep which were restrained and anaesthetised in the same way but from which no biopsies were taken. Most lymphoid follicles (3.47 [0.58] per 5 pm tissue section) were obtained by using the third eyelid biopsy technique. There were no clinical side effects associated with the biopsy procedure. There were increases in the plasma concentration of cortisol in all the animals, suggesting that the restraint and anaesthesia were more stressful than the biopsy procedure.
Insights
Sheep third eyelid biopsies are an effective method for collecting lymphoid tissue samples. This minimally invasive technique yielded the most lymphoid follicles without adverse clinical effects, indicating its suitability for research.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Pathology
- Immunology
- Surgical Techniques
Background:
- Lymphoreticular tissue sampling is crucial for sheep health research.
- Evaluating minimally invasive biopsy techniques is essential for animal welfare and data quality.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the efficacy of different postmortem and live biopsy techniques for collecting ovine lymphoid tissue.
- To assess the clinical effects of repeated biopsy procedures on sheep.
Main Methods:
- Postmortem tissue collection from 126 sheep across five lymphoreticular sites.
- Comparison of forceps/scissors, Biopty gun, and biopsy forceps techniques.
- Monthly live biopsies on five sheep under general anesthesia, compared to controls.
Main Results:
- Third eyelid biopsy using forceps/scissors yielded the highest mean lymphoid follicles (5.32 ± 0.70 per 5 µm section).
- Biopsy procedures showed no clinical side effects.
- Cortisol levels increased in all sheep, indicating anesthesia and restraint stress.
Conclusions:
- Third eyelid biopsy is the most effective technique for obtaining ovine lymphoid tissue.
- The biopsy procedure itself is well-tolerated and does not cause adverse clinical effects.
- Anesthesia and restraint are significant sources of stress in sheep research protocols.