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Updated: Jun 28, 2026
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Modified Blood Collection from Tail Veins of Non-anesthetized Mice with a Vacuum Blood Collection System and Eyeglass Magnifier
Published on: February 2, 2019
Quality of plasma sampled by different methods for multiple blood sampling in mice
S D Christensen1, L F Mikkelsen, J J Fels
1Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, University of Copenhagen, Dyrlaegevej 88, DK-1870 Frederiksberg C, Denmark.
Laboratory Animals
|November 13, 2008
Summary
For accurate oral glucose tolerance tests (OGTT) in mice, lateral tail incision is the best blood sampling method. It yields high-quality, clot-free plasma with minimal hemolysis and less glucose alteration compared to other techniques.
Area of Science:
- * Animal models in biomedical research
- * Metabolic disease research
Background:
- * Accurate blood sample collection is critical for reproducible results in mouse oral glucose tolerance tests (OGTT).
- * Minimizing animal use and data variation requires high-quality plasma or serum.
- * Evaluating different blood withdrawal techniques is essential for optimizing OGTT protocols.
Purpose of the Study:
- * To determine the most valid and reproducible method for blood sample withdrawal during mouse OGTT.
- * To compare four common blood sampling techniques: tail tip amputation, lateral tail incision, tail tip puncture, and periorbital puncture.
- * To assess sample quality (clots, hemolysis) and impact on blood glucose levels.
Main Methods:
- * Four blood sampling methods were tested on C57BL/6 mice at 21°C and 30°C.
- * Four samples (30-50 µL) were collected at 30-minute intervals for each method.
- * Blood glucose changes, clot presence, and hemolysis were evaluated.
Main Results:
- * All methods yielded acceptable plasma volumes; clot formation was minimal and not significantly different.
- * Periorbital puncture produced no hemolysis, while lateral tail incision had minimal hemolysis. Tail tip methods caused significant hemolysis.
- * Periorbital puncture markedly increased blood glucose (stress response), while lateral tail incision had a lesser impact.
Conclusions:
- * Lateral tail incision is the recommended method for mouse OGTT due to its balance of sample quality and minimal impact on glucose levels.
- * Periorbital puncture, despite yielding high-quality samples, is unsuitable for OGTT due to significant stress-induced hyperglycemia.
- * Tail tip amputation and puncture are less desirable due to higher rates of sample hemolysis.
