Evaluation of a blood sample-transfusion protocol in rats: blood gases, renin, and ACTH

The present study evaluated a protocol for drawing large volumes of blood over an acute time frame in conscious cannulated rats with blood from cannulated donor rats simultaneously infused to maintain isovolemia. During time control (n = 6), three successive 1.5-ml blood samples were drawn at 10-min intervals with equal volumes of donor blood infused simultaneously. One milliliter of blood was drawn quickly and saved for analysis followed by an additional 3 ml of blood withdrawal to total a 15-ml/kg hemorrhage. Two subsequent 1.5-ml samples were replaced with autologous (hemorrhage) blood. During hypoxia inspired O2 was decreased to 10% after the first sample-transfusion. The sampling-transfusion protocol (time control) had no effect on blood pressure (MAP), hematocrit (Hct), blood gases, renin, or adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH). Hemorrhage resulted in a significant decrease in MAP, Hct, base excess, and arterial PCO2 and an increase in arterial PO2, renin activity, and ACTH. Ten percent O2 resulted in significant hypoxemia, respiratory alkalosis, and a small degree of hypotension at the 20-min sample with no change in renin and a moderate increase in ACTH. The consistency of the results with previous studies confirms the utility and efficiency of large sample-transfusion protocols for the study of blood gas and endocrine dynamics in conscious rats.